Written questions by Griffith.

What discussions he has had with the Public and Commercial Services trade union on the proposed industrial action by workers in his Department.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union members involved in industrial action are employees of G4S and ISS.The Government Property Agency (an executive agency of the Cabinet Office) is the contracting authority for the facilities management services delivered through these contracts. No discussions have taken place between Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the PCS on this issue.

What has been the cost of the UK Trade Envoy programme since its inception; and what was the cost of the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy programme in each of the last 5 years in which it operated.

As the United Kingdom’s Trade Envoys have just been appointed minimal costs have occurred. Costs of the Prime Minister Trade Envoy programme for the past five years is in the table below.2020/20212021/20222022/20232023/20242024/2025£12,106£106,659£203,642£228,583£27,809

Whether the Minister for Investment has held meetings with Doug Gurr since 4 July 2024.

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

What meetings (a) he, (b) ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with the new American administration on a potential UK-US trade deal.

The UK looks forward to working with President Trump and his administration to deepen our trading relationship the US. The Prime Minister had a warm call with President Trump on 26 January where they discussed trade and the economy.The US Government has clear rules that preclude other governments from formally engaging with members of the US Cabinet before they are officially confirmed by the Senate. We are still waiting for both the nominee for Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick and the US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, to be confirmed by the Senate.

What assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the Pan-Euro-Mediterranian Convention on Rules of Origin.

We are always looking at ways to reduce barriers to trade – within our manifesto red lines – because we take a pragmatic view as to where the national interest lies. We are therefore open to looking at PEM if that reflects business and partner sentiment, but we do not currently have plans to join. Rules of origin is a complex area and there are many factors that influence how businesses experience using these rules, from the paperwork involved to the complexity of their own supply chains.

Whether (a) he, (b) Ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had discussions with representatives from the European Union on the Pan-Euro-Mediterranian Convention on Rules of Origin.

We welcome the positive, constructive tone from Commissioner Šefčovič last week on this issue. We are resetting the relationship with our European friends to tackle barriers to help drive investment and growth and are open to looking at PEM if that reflects business and partner sentiment, but at this time we do not currently have plans to join.

Pursuant to the Answer of 13 November 2024 to Question 10261 on Board of Trade, whether the review into the Board of Trade has concluded; and what his planned timetable is for making a decision on the (a) appointment and (b) future direction of the Board.

The Department of Business and Trade (DBT) is currently in the process of appointing new Board of Trade (BoT) advisors. The advisers will be announced when an agreement has been reached, and advisers have been formally appointed.The BoT will continue as a key trade promotion and trade advocacy vehicle for DBT in support of the Government's Trade Strategy, exports and growth agenda. The inaugural meeting of the BoT will take place following the appointment of new advisors.

Who the advisers are to the Board of Trade.

The Department of Business and Trade (DBT) is currently in the process of appointing new Board of Trade (BoT) advisors. The advisers will be announced when an agreement has been reached, and advisers have been formally appointed.The BoT will continue as a key trade promotion and trade advocacy vehicle for DBT in support of the Government's Trade Strategy, exports and growth agenda. The inaugural meeting of the BoT will take place following the appointment of new advisors.

Pursuant to the Answer of 19 December 2024 to Question 20204 on Nissan, what his planned timetable is for publishing the updated transparency data on meetings.

The Department for Business and Trade follows the publication schedule set by No. 10

Pursuant to the Answer of 8 January 2025 to Question 21472 on Industrial Strategy Council: Public Appointments, if he will provide details of the number of people that were considered for appointment to the Industrial Strategy Council.

Members of the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council were selected following the Cabinet Office Guidance on Direct Ministerial Appointments. As per this guidance, Ministers and departmental officials identified a wide range of potential candidates that fit the agreed criteria for the role, from a variety of backgrounds, representing business leaders, policy experts and trade union leaders.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the Fleet Solid Support Ship programme.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has maintained regular communication with the Secretary of State for Defence on the Fleet Solid Support Ship programme. Together, they have worked closely with commercial partners Navantia UK and Harland and Wolff to facilitate an agreement that will ensure the delivery of these vital vessels for the Royal Navy. Both Departments agree this is a good deal for the Harland and Wolff shipyards, a good deal for its employees, and a good deal for the whole of British shipbuilding.

Whether he has had discussions with the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, about the potential impact of the Devolution White Paper on support for small businesses.

Ministers from the Department for Business and Trade regularly engage with colleagues from across Government, including from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, on support for small businesses. As committed to in the English Devolution White Paper, the Government will set out a vision for a new approach to business support, including more devolution in England and greater alignment between national, local and devolved business support, in the upcoming Small Business Strategy. This will include further details on the Business Growth Service, a new national service with local delivery at its heart, which will make it easier and quicker for businesses across the UK to get the help, support and advice they need to grow and thrive.

If he will publish the list of attendees of the Indian Business Leaders delegation meeting of 18 December 2024.

The delegation included Bharti Enterprises, Bharat Semi Systems, Biocon Group, Blue Star Limited, Essar Group, Hero Enterprise, Jet Synthesis, Piramal Group, Reliance Industries, Tata Steel, TVS Motor Company, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, and UPL Limited.

How many people were considered for appointment to the Industrial Strategy Council.

Appointments to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council were made through direct ministerial appointment by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Council’s membership includes senior business leaders, policy experts and trade union representatives. Members have been appointed in a personal capacity and the Council will help to ensure our Industrial Strategy is informed by a broad and high-quality evidence base, and a diverse range of perspectives.

Whether he has visited Harland and Wolff in Belfast.

The Secretary of State has not yet had the opportunity to visit the Harland and Wolff Belfast site but looks forward to doing so in the future. However, as the Minister for Industry, I had the privilege of visiting Northern Ireland on 19th December to observe first-hand the potential of the site for job creation and manufacturing growth. The recent agreement between Navantia UK and Harland and Wolff, which was announced that day, will enable us to maintain our essential sovereign shipbuilding capacity and capability both now and in the long term.

What meetings officials in his Department have had with representatives from the European Union since 5 July; and for what purpose.

My officials meet regularly with their counterparts in the European Commission to discuss areas such as implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the Competition Cooperation Agreement, and trade. Officials have also recently presented the Industrial Strategy Green Paper to the EU Delegation and Member State representatives.The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) officials also co-chair three UK-EU Trade Specialised Committees for Services, Investment and Digital, Regulatory Cooperation, and Technical Barriers to Trade, as well as the working groups that support them. The Committees last met in the autumn.

What assessment he has made of potential efficiency savings (a) his Department and (b) in arms length bodies for which his Department is responsible.

At the announcement of Phase 2 of the 2025 Spending Review, departments have been set a target of identifying efficiency savings of 5% by 2029. Through the spending review process my department will be carrying out the required work to identify options for delivering my priorities while maximising value for money for the taxpayer.Phase 2 will focus on supporting the government's missions by utilising technology and reforming public services to support delivery of the government's plans for a decade of national renewal.

What is the projected annual budget of the Fair Work Agency.

The Employment Rights Bill is the first phase of delivering our plan to Make Work Pay, supporting employers, workers, and unions to get Britain moving forward. Establishing the Fair Work Agency will create a strong, recognisable single brand so individuals know where to go for help and lead to a more effective use of resources We are committed to ensuring that the Fair Work Agency is established on a sound financial footing and operates effectively in fulfilling its mandate. Detailed annual budgets for the proposed Fair Work Agency are currently under development and will be communicated in due course.

How many applications his Department received for the appointment to the Industrial Strategy Council; and how many and what proportion of those applications reached each stage of consideration for appointments.

Appointments to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council were made through direct ministerial appointment by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Council’s membership includes senior business leaders, policy experts and trade union representatives. Members have been appointed in a personal capacity and the Council will help to ensure our Industrial Strategy is informed by a broad and high-quality evidence base, and a diverse range of perspectives.

If he will outline the process for appointments to the Industrial Strategy Council.

Appointments to the Industrial Strategy Advisory Council were made through direct ministerial appointment by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Council’s membership includes senior business leaders, policy experts and trade union representatives. Members have been appointed in a personal capacity and the Council will help to ensure our Industrial Strategy is informed by a broad and high-quality evidence base, and a diverse range of perspectives.