Written questions by Griffiths.

Whether his Department has updated its computable general equilibrium models to incorporate post-2024 trade flow data.

DBT uses data provided by the Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) for CGE modelling. The latest publicly available data is GTAP 11 with the latest reference year 2017. As a consortium member of the Project, we have early access to forthcoming newer versions before they are published. Making use of this we used the pre-publication GTAP 12 dataset, with latest reference year 2019, for the modelling presented in the Impact Assessment of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

What assumptions his Department uses in relation to trade elasticities when modelling the long-term effects of UK accession to plurilateral digital trade agreements.

The Department for Business and Trade has not undertaken modelling of the long-term effects of UK accession to plurilateral digital trade agreements. Consequently, no assumptions regarding trade elasticities have been applied in this context.The OECD has published analysis on the potential economic impacts of concluding the WTO’s Joint Initiative on E-Commerce. However, this analysis is not UK-specific.

If he will publish a timeline for the remaining milestones to be met before the Steel Strategy is presented to Parliament.

The Government has committed up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector, delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund. This is in addition to the £500m we have invested in the transformation of Port Talbot.We are also committed to delivering a steel strategy. A robust position on trade is a critical element of this strategy, underpinning our approach to defending against unfair practices and global over-capacity. We are prioritising developing robust measures in light of the UK steel safeguard expiring during 2026. These measures will protect our domestic sector, ensuring its future viability and securing steel supply chains. This will follow a Call for Evidence which was open throughout July and sought views from across the steel supply chain on future steel trade measures. We will therefore publish the steel strategy in early 2026.Where required, we will work with Parliament to implement measures under domestic law.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement published on 10 December 2025, what specific robust measures regarding trade are currently under development; and whether these measures require primary legislation to be introduced following the publication of the Steel Strategy.

The Government has committed up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector, delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund. This is in addition to the £500m we have invested in the transformation of Port Talbot.We are also committed to delivering a steel strategy. A robust position on trade is a critical element of this strategy, underpinning our approach to defending against unfair practices and global over-capacity. We are prioritising developing robust measures in light of the UK steel safeguard expiring during 2026. These measures will protect our domestic sector, ensuring its future viability and securing steel supply chains. This will follow a Call for Evidence which was open throughout July and sought views from across the steel supply chain on future steel trade measures. We will therefore publish the steel strategy in early 2026.Where required, we will work with Parliament to implement measures under domestic law.

Whether the Treasury has approved funding required for the Steel Strategy.

The Government has committed up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector, delivered in part through the National Wealth Fund. This is in addition to the £500m we have invested in the transformation of Port Talbot.We are also committed to delivering a steel strategy. A robust position on trade is a critical element of this strategy, underpinning our approach to defending against unfair practices and global over-capacity. We are prioritising developing robust measures in light of the UK steel safeguard expiring during 2026. These measures will protect our domestic sector, ensuring its future viability and securing steel supply chains. This will follow a Call for Evidence which was open throughout July and sought views from across the steel supply chain on future steel trade measures. We will therefore publish the steel strategy in early 2026.Where required, we will work with Parliament to implement measures under domestic law.

Whether the Employment Rights Bill roadmap includes contingency measures if key stakeholders report insufficient capacity to meet implementation requirements.

The Government will continue working with businesses and trade unions throughout policy development and subsequent delivery. The timelines in our Roadmap have been carefully considered to ensure implementation works for workers and businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors. We understand that adjusting to these new reforms will take time and we are committed to ensuring that all stakeholders receive appropriate time to prepare for these changes ahead of their commencement. We will continue to work hard, including with Acas and other delivery partners to provide guidance and support so that employers aren’t left in the dark. This is the work of years, not months, and businesses will have lots of time to prepare for the changes.

What resources her Department provides to employers to help them meet compliance obligations during each stage of the Employment Rights Bill roadmap’s implementation.

The Government will continue working with businesses and trade unions throughout policy development and subsequent delivery. The timelines in our Roadmap have been carefully considered to ensure implementation works for workers and businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors. We understand that adjusting to these new reforms will take time and we are committed to ensuring that all stakeholders receive appropriate time to prepare for these changes ahead of their commencement. We will continue to work hard, including with Acas and other delivery partners to provide guidance and support so that employers aren’t left in the dark. This is the work of years, not months, and businesses will have lots of time to prepare for the changes.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the measures scheduled for implementation in the Employment Rights Bill on businesses in (a) 2026 and (b) 2027.

My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill, including on businesses. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessmentsThis represents the best estimate for the likely impacts given the current stage of policy development. We are refining our analysis as policy development continues, working closely with external experts, businesses and trade unions.

What criteria will be used to evaluate the phased implementation approach outlined in the Employment Rights Bill roadmap.

Our phased approach to implementation provides clarity and time to prepare, while raising standards across the board—creating a level playing field, improving staff retention, leading to a happier, more secure and productive workforce.The Government's Impact Assessments outline plans for monitoring and evaluating the impact of the Bill and subsequent secondary legislation. This will allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of the Bill’s measures in achieving its stated objectives and influence future policy making. It is important to note that many of the final impacts will depend on further policy decisions that are for secondary legislation.

What discussions he has had with business representatives on the feasibility of the commencement dates set out in the Employment Rights Bill implementation roadmap.

We have listened to and incorporated views from business, trade unions, and others in our timings to make sure implementation works for workers and employers alike. We have collaborated directly with over 190 stakeholders, working in partnership to deliver on our Plan. We have also worked closely with delivery partners such as Acas, to determine onward steps needed to implement the measures in the Bill. We will ensure employers, workers, trade unions and other stakeholders are given time to prepare for change.

On what dates (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have met with their United States counterparts since 5 November 2024.

The Department for Business and Trade holds regular engagement with US counterparts at both Ministerial and official level.

When he plans to provide an Answer to Question 26782 tabled by the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton on 27 January 2025.

I refer the hon. Member for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton to the answer I gave on the 24th of February, UIN 26782.

What meetings he has had with Doug Gurr since 4 July 2024.

Details of ministerial meetings are routinely published on Gov.uk.

What meetings the Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets has had with Doug Gurr since 4 July 2024.

Details of ministerial meetings are routinely published on Gov.uk.

What meetings the Minister for Industry has had with Doug Gurr since 4 July 2024.

Details of ministerial meetings are routinely published on Gov.uk.

What meetings the Minister for Services, Small Business and Exports has had with Doug Gurr since 4 July 2024.

Details of ministerial meetings are routinely published on Gov.uk.

What meetings the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security has had with Doug Gurr since 4 July 2024.

Details of ministerial meetings are routinely published on Gov.uk.

What assessment he has made of (a) the adequacy of the level of UK car production and (b) the impact of that industry on the economy.

The UK’s automotive manufacturing industry directly supports over 150,000 jobs and contributed £21.0 billion in gross value added to the economy in 2024.It plays a crucial role in driving innovation, advancing net-zero goals, and fostering economic growth. In value added terms, the UK has the second-largest car manufacturing industry in Europe. While production dipped last year due to planned upgrades and weaker global demand compared to 2023, the government remains confident in and committed to the sector. The Autumn Budget included a £2 billion commitment for the sector. Recently a £50 million investment deal was secured with JATCO and Nissan to establish a new manufacturing site in Sunderland, JATCO’s first site in Europe.

What data his Department holds on the number of businesses that have closed involuntarily in each month of the last five years.

Official statistics on company involuntary dissolutions are published quarterly. These are made publicly available online by Companies House. We have extracted and produced the relevant yearly figures for your convenience below: Financial YearStruck off and dissolved2023/24631,7422022/23557,2402021/22557,6532020/21425,5942019/20497,639 The statistics for October to December 2024 will be published in the next quarterly release on 30 January 2025 at 9:30am.The most recent complete datasets can be found here:Incorporated companies in the UK July to September 2024 - GOV.UKStatistics for previous periods are available here.

What data his Department holds on the number of involuntary business liquidations that have taken place each month of the last five years.

The numbers of companies entering compulsory liquidation in each month since January 2019 are provided in monthly Official Statistics on company insolvency at Company insolvency statistics releases - GOV.UK and in the tables below.England & Wales 201920202021202220232024January31729551124204339February2592313377162225March23717533140302230April2341003094187291May2723234141195248June2747037148264293July25017544137249336August1957938151232236September2284932219255221October2376753252260212November2703754296364340December1704352186164[x]Source: Insolvency Service. [x] indicates not yet availableScotland 201920202021202220232024January574512145334February51447102233March68471194044April66179174148May50108193543June45211483643July452114154433August491811383342September43128253018October551011193560November561321423054December4721172240[x]Source: Companies House. [x] indicates not yet available Northern Ireland 201920202021202220232024January7212218February918010114March25120728April3036217May35013222June16011138July1211135August501221September280022515October391101417November22022133December181726[x]Source: Department for the Economy, Northern Ireland