Written questions by Griffith.

With reference to the Companies House news story titled Update on Companies House WebFiling security issue, published on 16 March 2026, on what date the security flaw allowing unauthorised access to company details was first introduced to the WebFiling system.

Companies House has investigated the technical issue and confirmed that it was introduced on 11 October 2025 as part of a major WebFiling service update. It was not the result of any malicious attempt to breach its systems from outside or a cyber-attack. The issue has now been fixed and the WebFiling Service reopened at 9am on 16 March after comprehensive testing.

When he intends to publish the updated steel safeguards to replace the expiring ones in June 2026.

The Government remains committed to supporting the UK steel sector. A robust position on trade is critical for steel, underpinning our approach to defending against unfair practices and global overcapacity. The Government will ensure there is a plan in place following the expiry of the Safeguard in June. We are prioritising developing a robust trade measure to protect our domestic sector and will announce our proposals as soon as we can.We are mindful of giving industry notice for their commercial decision making. This Government is clear that we must secure our domestic steelmaking.

When he intends to publish the full text of the US Pharma Deal.

We are finalising underpinning details and will share more information when we can.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of trade and investment cooperation on corruption, electoral integrity, rule of law and judicial independence in African nations.

The Department for Business and Trade works closely with other UK Government Departments, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and many countries across the Africa continent, to consider a wide range of issues to make sure that two way trade and investment can grow through a stable business environment.

Which legal entity or entities are expected to receive the £375 million capital funding for British Steel included in the 2025–26 Supplementary Estimates.

The £375 million capital allocation for British Steel Limited is recoverable as a debt owed to the Crown. The sole stipulation for this funding is that it must be used strictly for the purposes established in the legislation. Recoverability of this debt will be further assessed at year-end and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.The £375m is intended for British Steel Limited, a private limited company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006 and registered in England and Wales with company number 12303256.

What conditions or requirements are attached to the £375 million capital allocation relating to British Steel included in the 2025–26 Supplementary Estimates; and whether he expects the funding to be repaid or generate a financial return to the Exchequer.

The £375 million capital allocation for British Steel Limited is recoverable as a debt owed to the Crown. The sole stipulation for this funding is that it must be used strictly for the purposes established in the legislation. Recoverability of this debt will be further assessed at year-end and the resulting treatment will be reflected and published in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for 2025-26.The £375m is intended for British Steel Limited, a private limited company limited by shares incorporated in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006 and registered in England and Wales with company number 12303256.

Whether his Department has undertaken a value-for-money assessment of the £375 million capital allocation for British Steel included in the 2025–26 Supplementary Estimates.

The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act is a temporary measure to ensure that critical steel facilities remain operational. The Government keeps BSL's financial position under constant review to protect taxpayers' interests while ensuring continuity of safe and responsible operations. BSL continues trading commercially and Government officials are continuing to provide on-site support in Scunthorpe monitoring, reviewing and scrutinising the use of taxpayer funds with robust financial governance in place.

Pursuant to the 2025–26 Supplementary Estimates, for what specific purpose the £375 million increase in Capital DEL for British Steel will be used; and whether that funding will take the form of loans, equity investment, guarantees or grants.

The additional £375 million Capital DEL allocated for British Steel Limited, as outlined in the Supplementary Estimates 2025-26, will be used to provide working capital and is recoverable as a debt owed to the Crown, specifically referenced in section 3(6) of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act. The sole stipulation for this funding is that it must be used strictly for the purposes established in the legislation. Each tranche of funding provided to British Steel undergoes thorough review and approval prior to release. As of today, approximately £370 million has been provided to British Steel Limited to support working capital needs, including expenses such as raw materials, staff salaries, and other operational costs.This allocation will be fully accounted for in the Department for Business and Trade's accounts for the 2025-26 financial year.

How regularly the Industrial Development Advisory Board (IDAB) meets.

The Board meets monthly to review cases that are presented to them, if there are no such cases the meetings are cancelled, as was the case in February 2026. Additional meetings beyond the monthly meetings are scheduled where necessary to review exceptionally urgent cases.

When the Industrial Development Advisory Board (IDAB) last met.

The Industrial Development Advisory Board last met on 13 January 2026.

Whether he will publish the minutes of the most recent Industrial Development Advisory Board meeting.

Minutes of the meetings of the Industrial Development Advisory Board are not published. The discussions of the Board and the advice they provide to the Secretary of State with respect to the exercise of their functions under sections 7 and 8 of the Industrial Development Act encompass highly commercially sensitive information.

What assessment his Department has made on the potential impact of the closure of the Hormuz Strait on British business.

We are undertaking detailed analysis to assess the potential impact of any closure of the Strait of Hormuz on British businesses. We are monitoring the situation closely and working across government to safeguard UK economic resilience. We have an export support team that businesses can reach out to for support on disrupted trade or supply chains. We continue to analyse the potential impact of increased energy prices however this is not a question of security of supply, and we are confident that we have multiple and sufficient sources of supply.

What his timeline is for the disbursement of agreed funds to the Jingye Group.

I refer the Member to the answer I gave on 2 March 2026 to question 115644.

What the total value is of the financial support package being negotiated with the Jingye Group in relation to British Steel's operations in Scunthorpe.

I refer the Member to the answer I gave on 2 March 2026 to question 115644.

With reference to the Statistical bulletin - Civil Service Statistics: 2025, updated on 29 October 2025 and the Statistical bulletin - Civil Service Statistics: 2024, updated on 20 August 2024, for what reason the number of policy staff in his Department has increased by 90% in one year.

The Cabinet Office revised the classification of professions in early March 2025. We have been instructed to substitute the International Trade profession with the Policy profession in our reporting. Accordingly, all staff previously classified under the International Trade profession in 2024 have now been reassigned to the Policy profession. The reported percentage increase is attributable to this change.

What the value is of the financial support package being negotiated with the Jingye Group in relation to British Steel's operations in Scunthorpe.

We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel. Upon the end of Government intervention under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, a compensation scheme will be available to Jingye, which would provide for an independent assessment to determine what amount of compensation, if any, is appropriate.

What meetings his Department has had with Jingye on compensation for British Steel.

We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel. Upon the end of Government intervention under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, a compensation scheme will be available to Jingye, which would provide for an independent assessment to determine what amount of compensation, if any, is appropriate.

What methodology will be used to determine the level of compensation available to Jingye following Royal Assent of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025.

We continue to work with Jingye to find a pragmatic and realistic solution for the future of British Steel. Upon the end of Government intervention under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, a compensation scheme will be available to Jingye, which would provide for an independent assessment to determine what amount of compensation, if any, is appropriate.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the European Union’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act on the integration of UK-based manufacturers in European supply chains.

The proposed Industrial Accelerator Act has not yet been published by the European Commission, but we share and understand concerns expressed by industry in this country and within the European Union about the potential impact of an overly restrictive ‘made in Europe’ policy. We continue to engage with our counterparts in the EU and to advocate for the interests of UK manufacturers, many of whose operations are closely integrated with other businesses in the EU.

What assumptions his Department uses regarding cost pass-through to consumers when assessing the impact of new trade-related regulatory requirements on businesses, and whether those assumptions have been revised since the publication of the Department’s 2024 Green Book-aligned appraisal guidance.

Addressing regulatory barriers to trade can help reduce costs for UK businesses trading internationally and support economic growth. Cost pass‑through to consumers is subject to uncertainty and may differ significantly depending on market conditions, products and supply chains in scope. Reflecting the Green Book’s principles‑based approach to appraisal, which emphasises judgement and proportionality where impacts are uncertain, cost pass-through impacts are considered on a case‑by‑case basis where evidence indicates that they can be assessed.