Written questions by Rosindell.

What steps his Department is taking to help safeguard consumer protection within the private publishing sector.

Consumer legislation, such as the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, apply to businesses across all sectors where consumers are transacting with traders. This includes the private publishing sector. DBT is strengthening consumer law enforcement through the implementation of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential (a) implications for his policies and (b) impact on bilateral trade relations of the International Monetary Fund's loan deal with the Republic of El Salvador.

The UK Government is aware of the agreement reached between the International Monetary Fund and the Government of El Salvador for a new arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility, which aims to support economic reforms in the country. The UK will continue to use the UK-Central America Association Agreement to strengthen our trade relationship with El Salvador, which was worth £66m in the 12 months to June 2024.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the implications for (a) his policies and (b) bilateral trade relations of Argentina’s most recent debt repayments to international bondholders.

The UK Government continually monitors international economic developments and is aware of the domestic reforms that the Argentine government is undertaking and their most recent debt repayments. The UK is working with Argentina to strengthen our trade relationship – worth £2 billion in the 12 months to June 2024. In October 2024, the Secretary of State met his Argentine counterpart, the first ministerial meeting between trade ministers since 2019 and agreed to work together in areas such as services, customs, and education.

What recent progress he has made on free-trade negotiations with the Swiss Confederation.

The fifth round of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Switzerland took place in London between 14 and 18 October 2024. UK negotiators made good progress, working towards agreeing ambitious outcomes in key areas including services, investment and digital. Round 6 talks are expected to take place in Switzerland in early 2025. The Government will continue to work towards delivering outcomes in the FTA that secure economic growth for the UK and will update Parliament on the progress of discussions with Switzerland as they continue to develop.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14th October 2024 to Question 5918 on Department for Business and Trade: Canada, whether he plans to meet the Agent General of (a) Ontario, (b) Quebec and (c) Saskatchewan in the next six months.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has no plans to meet with the Agents General of Ontario, Quebec, or Saskatchewan in the next six months.Canada is a key ally and valued partner for the UK. Our trade relationship – worth £26.4 billion in the 12 months to June 2024 – is underpinned by regular engagement, including at the provincial level.In November 2024, I attended the 8th annual CPTPP ministerial meeting in Vancouver, during which I met with Canadian officials, business leaders and Indigenous communities to confirm our common interests in a future of shared security and economic growth.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of Mexico's recent constitutional reforms on UK investments in the regional energy sector.

The UK Embassy in Mexico regularly engages with the Mexican Government to underline the importance of strong institutions, independent courts, and the rule of law. My Department has been following the regulatory reforms closely. We are aware of market reactions and maintain a dialogue with the Mexican Government at the highest levels about how these reforms may affect UK business. Mexico is a long-standing and valued trade partner for the UK and we are working to grow our two-way trade and investment.

What progress he has made on (a) a free trade agreement and (b) reducing trade tariffs applicable to Scottish whiskey with India.

At the G20 on 18 November, the Prime Minister met Prime Minister Modi to announce that the UK will relaunch trade talks in the new year with India – one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Work is underway across government to prepare for negotiations. Our trade programme, including negotiations with India, is driven by stakeholder engagement, including with the Scotch Whisky Association.

What steps he is taking to keep the UK as a competitive place to invest in AI start-ups.

The UK has a competitive advantage in AI, with some of the world’s most innovative AI companies based here.The government commissioned an Action Plan in July, led by Matt Clifford to identify how AI can drive economic growth and explore untapped AI opportunities. HMG will form a new “AI Opportunities Unit” to seize the benefits of AI. The Action Plan, to be published shortly, will consider key enablers such as the UK’s compute and broader infrastructure requirements by 2030, how this infrastructure is made available for start-ups and scale-ups and how to develop and attract top AI talent.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ai-expert-to-lead-action-plan-to-ensure-uk-reaps-the-benefits-of-artificial-intelligence

If he will take steps to help protect jobs that could otherwise be replaced by increased use of artificial intelligence.

New technologies, including AI, have the potential to boost wages, drive up productivity and empower workers. The government’s approach to new technologies is to protect good jobs, enable good future jobs and ensure rights and protections keep pace with technological change; safeguarding against discrimination; and putting the worker voice at the heart of Britain’s digital transition. AI is expected to augment roles, rather than replace them. A report by the International Labour Organisation corroborates this, indicating that some roles are more exposed to AI, but that AI is not able to fully replace human employees.

Whether he has met with the Agent-General of (a) New South Wales, (b) Queensland, (c) South Australia, (d) Tasmania, (e) Victoria, and (f) Western Australia.

The Department for Business and Trade is working in close partnership with Australia across a range of areas, most notably on the implementation and utilisation of the UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement. This engagement has not included meetings by the Secretary of State with any of the Agent-Generals in Australia.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 5919 on Financial Services: Liechtenstein, whether he has had any meetings with his Liechtenstein counterpart.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has not met with his Liechtenstein counterpart.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that Royal Mail adheres to the universal service obligation.

As the independent regulator for the postal sector, it is for Ofcom to monitor Royal Mail’s delivery of the universal service obligation and decide how to respond should Royal Mail fail to meet its obligations.Ofcom is currently investigating Royal Mail’s service standards in 2023-24 following its failure to meet its delivery obligations.

How many companies have been reported to Companies House for using (a) names and addresses and (b) other personal information without consent when registering in the last year; and whether his Department has plans to require people seeking to register new companies to send Companies House proof of identity before (i) issuing a certificate of incorporation and (ii) publishing the company's details online.

To the year ending 30 September 2024, Companies House received 28,933 reports related to the unauthorised use of addresses. No figure is available for personal information. In future, all directors (and equivalents), persons with significant control and those filing information with Companies House will be required to undergo identity verification checks and proposed directors will need to complete these checks before a company is incorporated. The phased introduction of compulsory identity verification is due to begin by Autumn 2025.

Whether he has met with his counterpart in Liechtenstein to discuss the exchange of financial services.

Officials at the Department for Business and Trade meet regularly with their counterparts in Liechtenstein to discuss how to increase trade under the UK-EEA/EFTA Free Trade Agreement, including at the annual Services, Investment and Digital sub-committee. The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has not yet met with his counterpart in Liechtenstein to discuss financial services.

Whether he has met with the Agent General of (a) Ontario, (b) Quebec, and (c) Saskatchewan since taking his position.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has not met with the Agent General of Ontario, Quebec or Saskatchewan since taking his position. Canada is a valued partner for the UK and provincial level engagement is an important part of our bilateral relationship. Our trade relationship – worth £25.8bn in the year to quarter one 2024 – is underpinned by regular engagement, including at the provincial level.