Written questions by Griffith.

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 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 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.

What meetings (a) he, (b) ministers in his Department and (c) officials in his Department have had with President-Elect Trump's transition team on a potential UK-US trade deal.

The incoming US administration is still in the process of 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. The Prime Minister spoke to the President-elect again on 18 December. Neither the Secretary of State, Ministers, nor officials in the Department have had meetings with President-Elect Trump's transition team.

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.

When he plans to respond to Questions 18414, 18415 and 18416 tabled by the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs on 6 December 2024.

Questions 18414, 18415 and 18416 were answered on 19 December 2024.

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.

How many away days or off-site team building exercises his Department has arranged for officials in each month of this year; and what the cost of these was.

The Department for Business and Trade does not routinely collect this information. It could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

How many thefts of motor vehicles there were from the railway station car parks at (a) Arundel, (b) Amberley, (c) Barnham, (d) Haslemere, (e) Liphook, (f) Pulborough and (g) Billingshurst in each of the last five years; and how many of these resulted in a criminal prosecution.

According to British Transport Police (BTP) data there have been 45 thefts of motor vehicle offences at the 7 named stations between January 2020 and up to and including the 2nd December 2024. Of these currently 2 have resulted in criminal prosecution. Number of theftsYear Location20202021202220232024 (up to 02/12/2024 only)Arundel Railway Station00000Amberley Railway Station00011Barnham Railway Station00011Billingshurst Railway Station10000Haslemere Railway Station131083Liphook Railway Station00210Pulborough Railway Station20136 Number of prosecutions (note possible time lag for more recent thefts)YearLocation20202021202220232024 (up to 02/12/2024 only)Arundel Railway Station00000Amberley Railway Station00000Barnham Railway Station00000Billingshurst Railway Station10000Haslemere Railway Station00000Liphook Railway Station00000Pulborough Railway Station10000 During 2020 and 2021 passenger numbers were reduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so train station car parks were also likely less occupied during this time.

How many (a) commercial and (b) non-commercial flights he has taken since 5 July 2024.

We can confirm that since 5 July 2024, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade has taken: 28 commercial flights1 non-commercial flight

How many (a) settlement agreements and (b) special severance payments with (i) current and (ii) former employees his Department has made in each of the last 12 months.

The Department for Business and Trade made no settlement agreements or special severance payments in the last 12 months for either current or former employees.

How many thefts of motor vehicles from railway station car parks there were in each of the last five years; and how many of those thefts resulted in a criminal prosecution.

According to British Transport Police (BTP) data, there have been 1,853 thefts of motor vehicles from rail station car parks between January 2020 and up to and including the 2nd December 2024. Of these, 69 resulted in criminal prosecution. YearBTP Recorded Number of Theft of Motor Vehicle OffencesRecorded Crime that led to prosecution at court (correct as of 03/12/2024)202021520202119272022482252023483112024 (up to 02/12/2024 only)4816 During 2020 and 2021 passenger numbers were reduced due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so train station car parks were also likely less occupied during this time.

What steps his Department is taking to prepare for the potential imposition of trade tariffs by the US.

The Government has not speculated on what President-elect Trump may or may not do when he is in office. The Government will continue to make a strong case for open, transparent, and free trade. We are an open trading economy, and we benefit from that in our trading relationships other countries, including the US.

Whether the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets attended any of the meetings held by his Department with Stellantis.

I refer the member for Arundel and South Downs to the answer I provided to UIN 17527 on 6 December.

How many of his counterparts from G20 nations (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have met.

(a) Since July, the Secretary of State for Business and Trade has met with counterparts from 16 G20 nations .(b) The DBT ministerial team have met a total of 18 G20 nations.

What steps his Department takes to monitor the productivity of officials when they work from home.

It is expected that every Department for Business and Trade employee has personal objectives aligned to their role. Performance is monitored regularly against these objectives, as part of ongoing reviews.

Whether he has had discussions with (a) the ONS (b) the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the Public Services Productivity Review.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has confirmed that no formal discussions have taken place with (a) the Office for National Statistics (ONS) or (b) the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the Public Services Productivity Review.

Whether he has met with his counterparts from (a) Canada and (b) Mexico on the UK's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Ministers regularly meet with their counterparts to discuss a wide range of key issues. The Secretary of State met with Canada’s Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Mary Ng at the G7 and the G20. I met with Minister Ng at the ASEAN Summit in September and at the CPTPP Commission meeting in November 2024, where I also had the opportunity to meet the Mexican Under Secretary of Economy, Luis Rosendo Gutierrez Romano. We will continue to work with our Canadian and Mexican counterparts to push for ratification of our accession so that businesses can begin to reap the rewards of this trade agreement.

When he plans to respond to the letter of 20 November 2024 from the hon. Member for Arundel and South Downs.

The Department endeavours to meet the cross-Government standard of 20 working days for MP responses.

What meetings he has had with representatives from British Steel since 11 November 2024.

We’re working across government in partnership with trade unions and businesses to secure a bright future for steel in the UK, including working with British Steel on their future plans. My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State has met with British Steel’s shareholder on 5 occasions in the last 5 months. The most recent meeting was on 29 October. Senior officials from this Department meet representatives from British Steel on a weekly basis.