Written questions by Pinkerton.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of establishing a long-term deal on steel tariffs with the EU.

The UK and EU are close partners with shared interests. We are engaging intensively on steel tariffs with the European Commission and are working to find a bilateral solution that protects vital UK-EU steel trade. We have made clear that restricting UK access to the EU market would disrupt key supply chains and harm both our industries. In parallel, we are also prioritising the development of a robust measure of our own in light of the UK steel safeguard expiring in June to protect our domestic sector, making sure we maintain secure and resilient supply chains.

What estimate he has made of the number of business insolvencies in the UK road haulage sector in each of the past 20 years.

There has been a change to industry classifications during this time period, but the statistics are broadly comparable. Estimated numbers of companies in the relevant Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes that entered insolvency in the UK between 2006 and 2025 are presented below. Number of companies entering insolvency in the Freight Transport by Road industry, United Kingdom, 2006 to 2025Calendar YearCompanies Entering Insolvency (SIC 2007 Code 49410 – Freight Transport by Road and SIC 2003 Code 6024 - Freight Transport by Road)200636120073082008412200944220103312011351201230320132652014202201516020161462017 [note 1]1952018 [note 1]2472019285202019520212652022411202350320244712025401 Note 1: Numbers exclude bulk insolvencies, which occurred between April 2016 and early 2019 following changes to the IR35 rules and changes in VAT flat rate. If included, the number for 2017 would be 326 and the number for 2018 would be 256. For more details, see the Glossary in Company insolvencies, December 2025 - GOV.UK

What estimate has been made of the number of business insolvencies in the UK road haulage sector in each of the past 10 years.

Estimated numbers of companies with the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code 49410 (Freight transport by road) that entered insolvency in the UK in each calendar year between 2016 and 2025 are presented in the table below.Calendar Year49410 – Freight transport by road20161462017 [note 1]1952018 [note 1]2472019285202019520212652022411202350320244712025401Note 1: Numbers exclude bulk insolvencies, which occurred between April 2016 and early 2019 following changes to the IR35 rules and changes in VAT flat rate. If included, the number for 2017 would be 326 and the number for 2018 would be 256. For more details, see the Glossary in Company insolvencies, December 2025 - GOV.UK.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the long-term sustainability of the testing and accreditation sector.

The UK Government recognises the important role of the testing and accreditation sector in ensuring products are safe and comply with relevant regulation. The sector supports UK businesses to sell products in the UK and export to other countries, alongside supporting innovation. The UK Government continues to seek opportunities for the sector through Free Trade Agreements and Mutual Recognition Agreements, in line with the Trade Strategy. The UK Government continues to monitor the capacity of the testing and accreditation sector.

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of Government support for accreditation and conformity assessment on businesses’ access to international markets.

The UK Government continues to support British businesses through free trade and mutual recognition agreements, in line with the Trade Strategy. These agreements typically include provisions that support the accreditation and conformity assessment sectors, providing British businesses with enhanced access to foreign markets. For instance, UK conformity assessment bodies can now apply for accreditation and approval in Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) countries, allowing British businesses to test products in the UK against CPTPP country requirements. The UK Government routinely carries out and publishes economic assessments for trade agreements and legislation, which consider how agreements can reduce non-tariff barriers for British businesses.

What assessment has been made of how recent levels of insolvencies in the UK road haulage sector compare with those during the 2008 financial crisis.

There has been a change to industry classifications between these two periods, but the statistics are broadly comparable. Estimated numbers of companies with the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2003 code 49410 (Freight transport by road) and SIC 2007 code 6024 (Freight transport by road) that entered insolvency in the UK in calendar years 2008 to 2011 and 2022 to 2025 are presented in the tables below. Calendar YearCompanies Entering Insolvency (SIC 2003 Code 49410 – Freight Transport by Road and SIC 2007 Code 6024 - Freight Transport by Road)2008412200944220103312011351 Calendar YearCompanies Entering Insolvency (SIC 2007 Code 6024 - Freight Transport by Road)2022411202350320244712025401

What recent discussions his Department has had with the European Union on reducing barriers related to product testing and certification.

The government remains committed to tackling barriers to trade, including through implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), to bring benefits to businesses and achieve economic growth. DBT holds regular engagement with the EU, including through the UK-EU Specialised Committee on Technical barriers to Trade (TBT). This joint forum ensures the proper functioning of the TCA’s TBT chapter, and provides the opportunity to hold technical discussions and exchange information on topics such as regulatory developments, conformity assessment and product safety. The most recent committee was held on the 22 October 2025 and minutes of the meeting will be published shortly.

What assessment has been made of the average administrative cost per cross-border haulage journey arising from (a) certification and (b) documentation requirements into the European Union.

The Department for Business and Trade has not undertaken an assessment of the administrative costs incurred by UK haulage operators. However, we continue to engage with businesses to understand and resolve the barriers they face in trading with the EU. We are also making strong progress on last year’s historic agreement with the EU that is good for bills, jobs, and our borders.HMRC provides data on customs administrative burdens: Estimating the customs administrative burden of 2022 declarations - GOV.UK.

What recent assessment has been made of the economic costs arising from paper-based certification requirements for UK haulage operators trading with the European Union.

The Department for Business and Trade has not undertaken an assessment of the administrative costs incurred by UK haulage operators. However, we continue to engage with businesses to understand and resolve the barriers they face in trading with the EU. We are also making strong progress on last year’s historic agreement with the EU that is good for bills, jobs, and our borders.HMRC provides data on customs administrative burdens: Estimating the customs administrative burden of 2022 declarations - GOV.UK.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of free trade agreements on family businesses in Surrey.

We do not assess the direct effects of individual Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) on specific types of businesses within specific counties, nor do we monitor the way they are utilised in such granular detail.However, we do publish assessments of the potential economic, sectoral, distributional and environmental impacts of our FTAs on GOV.UK. As these set out, FTAs have an important role to play in delivering economic growth in all sectors and all regions. Through FTAs, businesses can benefit from tariff reductions, improved market access, and enhanced protections in investment and digital trade.The department is working hand-in-hand with UK businesses to ensure firms have the tools and knowledge they need to seize these opportunities.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies on trends in the level of employment costs for businesses in Surrey.

The Government has published 29 Impact Assessments representing a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Act: Employment Rights Act 2025: impact assessments - GOV.UK. This includes an assessment of regional impacts. An impact assessment on the 2026 National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage rates will be published shortly, including an assessment of regional impacts.

What estimate his Department has made of the potential impact of a UK–EU youth mobility scheme on labour supply in sectors reliant on temporary or seasonal workers.

Under a Youth Experience Scheme, young Brits and EU citizens will be given the opportunity to travel and work abroad, providing a highly valuable form of cultural exchange. My Department is committed towards the inclusion of as many sectors as possible to provide the widest possible set of opportunities for our young people. The exact parameters are subject to ongoing negotiation, and I therefore cannot comment on potential impact, but it is in the UK and EU’s interests to stand up the scheme quickly so that young UK and EU nationals can take up these opportunities as soon as possible.

What assessment his Department has made of the role a youth mobility scheme could play in supporting UK–EU trade in services.

We have not made such a precise assessment but since we are still working towards concluding negotiations on the Youth Experience Scheme by the next EU-UK summit, I cannot provide a running commentary on ongoing negotiations. We will update the House in the usual way as soon as possible.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential economic merits of mutual recognition of professional qualifications between the UK and the EU.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to Question 93339 on 27 November 2025: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of mutual recognition of professional qualifications with the EU on employment levels in regulated professions.

We remain committed to improving the recognition of professional qualifications with the EU. Highly skilled professionals from the EU make a valuable contribution to the UK’s regulated sectors and vice versa. We continually assess the benefits that mutual recognition would bring, including the impact on employment levels in regulated professions in the UK and the opportunities for UK businesses in the EU. Improvements would reduce market access barriers, address skills gaps, increase service exports and promote growth across regulated professions.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of improving market access for UK legal services in the European Union through the 2026 review of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.

We recognise the merits of improving market access across the board, which is why we remain committed to improving market access for UK service providers, including legal services. The EU is the most economically significant destination for UK legal services exports, at £3.3bn in 2024.We continue to explore opportunities to reduce market access barriers, address skills gaps, and promote growth for the legal sector with our European partners, including through the Trade Specialised Committee on Services, Investment and Digital Trade, the dedicated dialogues on recognition of professional qualifications and business mobility and future UK-EU summits.

What recent discussions he has had with Royal Mail on improving service levels in (a) Surrey and (b) Surrey Heath constituency.

I have discussed Royal Mail’s performance with the chief executive of Royal Mail and its parent company, and they recognise the need to do more to meet service delivery targets.In October, Ofcom, the independent regulator of postal services, fined Royal Mail £21 million for failing to meet its quality of service targets and has told Royal Mail it must urgently publish and deliver a credible plan that delivers major and continuous improvement.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential economic impact on businesses of current delivery times for parcels between the UK and the EU during the festive period.

The government recognises that the proper functioning of postal services is vital for businesses, particularly small businesses engaged in international trade. However, parcel delivery times are an operational matter for postal operators to address as private businesses operating in a competitive market.

What steps he is taking to support the hospitality sector in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government recognises the significant pressures facing pubs, including those in Surrey Heath, and the Government is providing support through various measures to help ease these pressures. We’re investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services. The government is delivering its commitment to rebalance the business rates system in England by introducing permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties with a ratable value under £500,000, worth nearly £900 million a year, which will benefit over 750,000 RHL properties. The Government is committed to reducing barriers to growth for hospitality businesses by rebalancing the licensing system. This is why the Chancellor announced a new National Licensing Policy Framework as part of her budget. This sets out a vision for a proportionate licensing system that supports good businesses while continuing to tackle bad operators.

Whether he has had recent discussions with representatives of the hospitality sector on the challenges facing pubs in Surrey Heath constituency.

The Government recognises the significant pressures facing pubs, including those in Surrey Heath, and the Government is providing support through various measures to help ease these pressures. We’re investing £440,000 with Pub is The Hub to help rural pubs diversify, aiming to support rural communities, create new jobs and services. The government is delivering its commitment to rebalance the business rates system in England by introducing permanently lower tax rates for retail, hospitality and leisure (RHL) properties with a ratable value under £500,000, worth nearly £900 million a year, which will benefit over 750,000 RHL properties. The Government is committed to reducing barriers to growth for hospitality businesses by rebalancing the licensing system. This is why the Chancellor announced a new National Licensing Policy Framework as part of her budget. This sets out a vision for a proportionate licensing system that supports good businesses while continuing to tackle bad operators.