Written questions by Griffith.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the chemicals and plastics sector.

As members of the chemicals and plastics sectors have themselves noted, this budget had many positive points for manufacturers. This includes measures based around the key pillars of our industrial strategy, including net zero, skills, regional growth and innovation. Notably, industry has welcomed the announcement that a ‘Mass Balance’ approach to chemically recycled plastic will be introduced, encouraging innovation and investment in new recycling technologies within the UK. The Budget also announced continued support for Energy Intensive Industries through around £350M of funding across 2024-25 and 2025-26 – this includes chemicals and plastics companies.

With reference to the Regulatory Policy Committee's report on the Employment Rights Bill, published on 21 November 2024, if he will carry out new impact assessments to replace those rated not fit for purpose.

The Government has noted the Regulatory Policy Committee’s opinion on the Impact Assessment for the Employment Rights Bill.It has always been the Government’s intention to refine our analysis as policy development continues, working closely with external experts, businesses, trade unions and the Regulatory Policy Committee.As is standard, Government will publish updated Option Assessments and Impact Assessments alongside future consultations and secondary legislation to meet our Better Regulation requirements.

How many officials in his Department have travelled to the United States of America (a) in the last 3 months and (b) since 5 November 2024.

We look forward to continuing to engage with the current and incoming US Administrations in the usual way. This includes through officials in the British Embassy in Washington DC, and our eight consulates around the United States, who continue to engage businesses and investors to champion UK interests and encourage collaboration and investment to help grow the UK economy.

What meetings he has had with representatives of (a) the automotive industry and (b) automotive companies.

My Department has had regular and frequent engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues.My officials and I also engage with the Automotive Council and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on a regular basis.

Whether staff in his Department receive protections from unfair dismissal from their first working day.

Around 9 million employees have been working for their employer for less than two years, so have only very limited statutory protection against unfair dismissal.   Our Employment Rights Bill will provide a new baseline of security for employees, including day one protection from unfair dismissal.Department for Business and Trade (DBT) employees working in England, Scotland and Wales are subject to a two year qualifying period before they receive legal protection from unfair dismissal. Employment Law is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland and DBT employees working there are subject to a one year qualifying period.

Whether his Department offers paternity leave to its staff from their first working day.

The Department offers Paternity Leave in line with the statutory approach and will be reviewing its policy following the changes brought in by the Employment Rights Bill. Paternity Leave is set to become a day one right, removing the current continuity of service requirements and bringing 32,000 fathers and partners into scope. The Employment Rights Bill means stronger, more family-friendly employment rights for workers and will ensure a fairer and more equal labour market.

Whether staff in his Department are entitled to bereavement leave.

The Department for Business and Trade allows employees to take up to five days Special Leave with pay in the event of a death of a dependant, close relative or other person in a close relationship.

Whether his Department offers its staff shared parental leave from their first working day.

The Department for Business and Trade offers Shared Parental Leave to all eligible employees in line with the statutory approach.As part of our Make Work Pay commitment, we will be carrying out a review of the wider statutory parental leave landscape, including Shared Parental Leave, ensuring that the parental leave system offers the best possible support to working families. The Employment Rights Bill means stronger, more family-friendly employment rights for workers and will ensure a fairer and more equal labour market.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 November 2024 to Question 13639 on Crawford Falconer, whether he plans to recruit a new Second Permanent Secretary and Chief Trade Negotiation Adviser.

DBT have no plans at this time to recruit a Second Permanent Secretary or a Chief Trade Negotiations Adviser at Permanent Secretary level, further to the departure of Sir Crawford Falconer on 31 December 2024.

How many officials from his Department travelled to Baku to (a) attend and (b) support COP29 in the last three months.

Within the last three months, nine officials from the Department for Business and Trade travelled to Baku to attend COP29.

How many officials in his Department worked from home for more than one day a week on average over the month to 30 October 2024.

Since the pandemic, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) have had a hybrid working policy in place. DBT’s hybrid working approach means staff should spend 40-60% of their contracted hours (averaged over a month) in the office or visiting stakeholders and businesses, and the rest of their time working from home. This works out to be on average 2-3 days working from home per working week for a full-time member of staff.

How many items of ministerial correspondence received by his Department have not received a reply within 14 days of receipt in the last three months.

Ministers and the Department place great value on effective and timely handling of ministerial correspondence and keep performance of this under review. The Cabinet Office publishes routine statistics on Departmental performance which can be find on GOV.UK (https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/data-on-responses-to-correspondence-from-mps-and-peers).

What discussions his Department has had with representatives from President-Elect Trump’s transition team on UK-US trade.

The incoming US administration is currently in the process of nominating members of its Cabinet and appointing senior staff. The Prime Minister had a warm introductory call with President-elect Trump on 6 November. During this call, the Prime Minister offered his congratulations and said he looked forward to working closely with President-elect Trump across all areas of the special relationship.

What meetings he has had with representatives from UK Hospitality since 30 October 2024 on the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the hospitality industry.

DBT engaged with UK Hospitality as part of a budget briefing call with retail, hospitality and small business representatives held on 4th November. The department also engages very regularly with UK Hospitality, through the Hospitality Sector Council, addressing strategic issues on areas including high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

What meetings he has had with representatives of the Federation of Small Businesses since 30 October 2024 on the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on small businesses.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) engaged with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) as part of a budget briefing call with retail, hospitality and small business representatives held on 4 November. Topics raised included measures to improve small businesses exports, and the close engagement between departments on Industrial Strategy and the recent late payments announcement. FSB also attended a roundtable discussion with the Secretary of State and SMEs on Industrial Strategy on 6 November. DBT Ministers and officials continue to engage regularly with FSB on a range of issues.