Written questions by Jogee.

What steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that businesses in Northern Ireland will be eligible for support under the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.

The British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will only be applicable to businesses within Great Britain. This is due to the energy market being devolved within Northern Ireland, where a Shared Energy Market is operated with the Republic of Ireland.We will continue to work in partnership with the Government of Northern Ireland to ensure the Industrial Strategy benefits people and businesses in Northern Ireland. This includes working with the Northern Ireland Executive to establish an Enhanced Investment Zone, as well as funding support for growth-driving sectors like advanced manufacturing and defence to further drive growth where Northern Ireland thrives.

What recent steps he has taken to encourage trade between Commonwealth countries.

The UK is committed to working with Commonwealth partners and institutions to further strengthen intra-Commonwealth trade and investment. For example, at the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the Foreign Secretary announced UK funding for the Commonwealth Standards Network (CSN) and the Commonwealth Investment Network (CIN). The CSN reduces barriers to trade across the Commonwealth by supporting members to meet international standards and thus increase their access to international markets. The CIN supports small and vulnerable members access investment opportunities through knowledge exchange, capacity building and facilitating relationships with private sector stakeholder groups.

Which Ministers from his Department will attend the Commonwealth Business Summit in Windhoek between 18 and 20 June 2025.

No Ministers from the Department for Business and Trade will be attending the Business Summit in Windhoek, Namibia between 18 and 20 June 2025.

What discussions he has had with his Commonwealth counterparts on taking steps to strengthen supply chains.

This Government regularly discusses and takes action to improve mutual supply chain resilience with Commonwealth partners via our network of bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral alliances. Our information sharing MOU with Australia, recent FTA with India, dialogues with partners including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and discussions at the G7, G20, OECD, and WTO reflect the commitment we share to promoting long-term economic stability through transparent, diversified, and sustainable global supply chains. We look forward to continuing discussions at the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting later this month.

If he will make an assessment of the potential merits of negotiating country-specific trade agreements between the United Kingdom and (a) Zimbabwe, (b) Botswana, (c) Namibia, (d) Mozambique, (e) Angola and (f) South Africa.

The UK’s existing trade agreements with the Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique, and Eastern and Southern Africa successfully facilitate trade with Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and we plan to continue to support their implementation. Angola is not currently covered by these agreements, but there are provisions available should they wish to join, and they are eligible for duty-free, quota-free access to the UK through our Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). None of these partner governments have requested a country-specific trade agreement. In addition, the nine (UK) Trade Envoys for Africa will seek to develop high level relationships with key decision makers to help further increase trade and investment.

What steps she has taken to encourage investment in (a) Staffordshire and (b) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency.

The Office for Investment (OfI) works with stakeholders across Staffordshire and Newcastle Under Lyme to promote strategic Investment opportunities to create high quality job growth in the region. OfI has funded a strategic key account management initiative in Staffordshire and Newcastle Under Lyme, to provide direct support to investors. I am delighted that Keele University, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, is ambitious to grow their successful Science and Innovation Park, and the OfI is supporting their work to bring this forward.

What recent steps he has taken with Cabinet colleagues to help increase job (a) creation and (b) retention in (i) industrial communities, (ii) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (iii) Staffordshire.

There is a strong ecosystem of skills and employment support, across Staffordshire and Newcastle -Under Lyme, co-ordinated through county, district and borough councils, in partnership with national government and not for profit organisations.The Department for Business and Trade offers a range of business support services which we will be building with measures being announced in the Small Business Strategy later this year. Our support helps businesses start, grow, invest, and export, creating opportunities across the country, including communities in Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

What discussions she has had with her counterparts in (a) Southern African Development Community and (b) Carribbean Community countries on investment opportunities.

The Department for Business and Trade discusses a number of issues with partners across the Caribbean and the Southern Africa community aimed at increasing bilateral investment. In addition, the UK’s Trade Envoys for those regions will seek to develop high level relationships with key decision makers to help further increase trade and investment.

What steps he is taking to remove barriers to trade between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The UK Internal Market Scheme enables businesses to move goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland without customs proceses where products are not at risk of entering the EU.From 1 May, new arrangements for parcels and freight movements have significantly simplified the process for providing information and moving relevant products, and the Government has also announced it will continue important Trader Support Service arrangements beyond 2026.The Government will continue to guarantee unfettered access for Northern Ireland’s businesses to the rest of the UK market on a permanent basis, and take forward its manifesto commitment to protect the UK internal market going forward.

What steps he is taking to support the ceramics industry in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme and (b) Staffordshire through his Department's trade strategy.

I have been working closely with Ceramics UK and local MPs on the challenges facing the sector. My department will continue to consider all possible options where support may be given.The Trade Strategy will set out the Government’s approach to maximising trade opportunities in support of the UK’s growth mission, for all sectors and regions. The United Kingdom currently has anti-dumping measures in place on ceramic tiles and ceramic tableware & kitchenware originating from China. The UK ceramics industry may apply for an investigation from the Trade Remedies Authority if it is being injured by unfair trading practices.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on business confidence in Northern Ireland.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade continues to have regular discussions with all Cabinet colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, on the best ways to deliver economic growth that raises living standards and puts money in people’s pockets. This Government is driving long-term, inclusive growth through our Industrial Strategy, Trade Strategy, Small Business Strategy and Plan to Make Work Pay. Our recent landmark economic deal with the United States and Free Trade Agreement with India will improve access to important markets for Northern Ireland businesses.

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the Government's priorities for the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting in June 2025.

Officials from the Department for Business and Trade and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office are continuing to work closely with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other Commonwealth members to strengthen intra-Commonwealth trade and investment, ahead of the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting in June. I’m presently planning to travel to Namibia for the Commonwealth Trade Ministers Meeting.This will be an opportunity for Commonwealth partners to strengthen cooperation on both intra-Commonwealth trade issues, including trade digitalisation and inward investment, as well as our shared support for the rules-based international trading system ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference next year.

What steps he is taking to ensure that (a) the industrial strategy and (b) skills policies provide green skills across sectors.

The government is working hard to ensure that the current and future skills system supports the low carbon economy. We will support workers in high-carbon industry by creating good green jobs in our country’s industrial heartlands – enabling people to move into low-carbon roles by drawing upon their wealth of skills and experience. Skills England will work closely with the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council to understand the skills needs of high-growth sectors, including Clean Energy Industries, and will bring together key partners to better meet these needs.

What steps his Department is taking to support the ceramics industry in Staffordshire.

DBT works closely with the ceramics sector through Ceramics UK and directly with Ceramic businesses to understand its challenges and provide support to help its global competitiveness.My department also provides limited support to the ceramics sector through our Supercharger scheme.

What steps his Department is taking to help increase trade with countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Department for Business and Trade works across Sub-Saharan Africa offering direct support to UK businesses looking to expand their business in the region. DBT focuses on markets, sectors, and deals where the UK has a competitive edge. The nine new Trade Envoys for Africa, recently announced by the Government, will seek to develop high level relationships with key decision makers to help further increase trade and investment. In addition, the UK is also actively expanding trade with Africa through nine trade agreements, including with 15 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

What steps he has taken to increase international investment in (a) Newcastle-under-Lyme constituency and (b) Staffordshire.

The Department for Business and Trade network work with local stakeholders to promote investment opportunities in the region to investors wishing to set up in the area. We work with clients to understand their requirements and to reduce barriers which inform the client’s decision to locate in the region. The funding of a Key Account Management programme is a strategic initiative designed to support FDI by strengthening relationships with existing foreign investors in the Midlands regions. It directs FDI support to businesses playing a crucial role in regional economies, helping foster a conducive environment for businesses to thrive, expand and nurture relationships with investors.

What steps he is taking with his Cabinet colleagues to increase trade between the four nations in the UK.

Statistics show trade between the UK's four nations was worth around £129 billion in 2019, and is particularly important to the economies of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. As part of meeting our Plan for Change, the Government wants to work to ensure growth across the country, raising living standards for working people across the UK. The Government has also launched IntertradeUK to advise on opportunities to promote and boost trade across the UK.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of a free trade agreement with the Southern African Development Community.

None of our partner governments in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have requested a collective UK-SADC FTA. There are two customs unions within the SADC grouping, which our existing agreements aim to align with.Our UK-Southern African Customs Union and Mozambique Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) is with Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and South Africa, and our UK-Eastern and Southern African EPA is with Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Zimbabwe. The remaining SADC countries (Angola, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo , Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia) are not currently covered by our FTAs, but there are provisions available should they wish to join These remaining countries are eligible for duty-free quota-free access to the UK (on nearly all goods) through our Developing Countries Trading Scheme.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the responsiveness of Royal Mail to enquiries made by Members of Parliament on behalf of their constituents.

As Royal Mail is an independent business, the government does not have a role in its operational decisions including its responsiveness to enquiries from Members of Parliament.

What recent discussions he has had with Royal Mail.

Ministers and officials have discussions with Royal Mail on a regular basis in its capacity as the universal service provider. In November, I met with Royal Mail’s CEO, Emma Gilthorpe, and stressed the importance of a reliable postal service.