Written questions by Jones.

When he plans to respond to Question 55918, tabled by the hon. Member for Wokingham on 28 May 2025.

A response to Question 55918 was provided on 11 June 2025: Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament

What discussions he has had with the automotive sector on the potential impact of China's rare earth export restrictions.

The Department for Business and Trade has been regularly engaging with businesses, across multiple sectors, that are affected by the recent export controls of rare earth elements, primarily with Automotive companies and Trade Associations. HMG is committed to supporting UK businesses affected by these export controls and ensuring barriers to trade causing additional monetary and time costs are removed.

Whether he has had recent discussions with the life science sector on the potential impact of China's imposition of rare earth export restrictions on that sector.

The Department for Business and Trade has been regularly engaging with businesses, across multiple sectors, that are affected by the recent export controls of rare earth elements, including with Life-sciences companies and Trade Associations. HMG is committed to supporting UK businesses affected by these export controls and ensuring barriers to trade causing additional monetary and time costs are removed.

With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled General terms for the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal, published on 9 May 2025, whether he will publish a strategic approach on ongoing trade negotiations with the United States.

On 8 May, we concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. The US has committed to further negotiations to tackle barriers to trade not related to tariffs and that have the potential to cut red tape for exporters. There will now be a process of formal negotiations with the US on a binding legal framework. MPs will have the chance to scrutinise the treaty when it is agreed and presented to the House. We will continue to act in Britain’s national interest – for workers, for business and for families.

With reference to his Department's policy paper entitled General terms for the United States of America and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Economic Prosperity Deal, published on 9 May 2025, what information his Department will share with Parliament on (a) agricultural trade and (b) digital trade negotiations.

The Government is not seeking to change the process of the ratification of any treaty. MPs will have the chance to scrutinise the treaty when it is agreed and presented to the House. This includes detail on agricultural trade and digital trade negotiations.

What discussions he has had with his Chinese counterpart on the imposition of rare earth export restrictions.

The Department for Business and Trade is regularly engaging with the Chinese Ministry of Commerce on their export controls of Critical Minerals, and DBT continues to explore ways to ensure supply to industry of these minerals is uninterrupted. HMG is committed to supporting UK businesses affected by these export controls and ensuring barriers to trade causing additional monetary and time costs are removed.

Whether his Department prepared an impact assessment on the trade agreement between the US and the UK, announced on 8 May 2025.

We are currently implementing the first phase of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal. This deal protects almost 45% of UK goods exports to the US. We are committed to continuing talks with the US, looking at increasing digital trade, enhancing access for our world-leading services industries and improving supply chains. Impact assessments are completed at the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of reducing UK tariffs on US meat and seafood products on (a) levels of meat imports and (b) food standards.

The UK has a strong and balanced trading relationship with the US worth £315 billion. Investment supports around 2.5 million jobs across both countries. Trade is second only to the EU where our trading relationship is worth £813 billion.We will always act in the best interests of UK businesses and consumers. That’s why, throughout the last few weeks, the government has been fully focused on negotiating an economic deal with the United States.But we will only ever sign trade agreements which align with the UK’s national interests, and we will always uphold our high food standards.

What are the criteria by which it would be determined whether any prospective trade treaty between the UK and the US that does not deal with substantially all trade would be subject to scrutiny under the Constitutional Reform and Government Act 2010.

Part 2 of the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010 is the statutory framework for the parliamentary scrutiny of all legally binding international agreements, regardless of the extent to which the relevant international agreement deals with trade, either substantially or in part. The criteria for an international agreement being subject to the provisions of the Act is set out in sections 23 and 25 of the Act.

What (a) oversight and (b) governance procedures will prospective US-UK trade negotiations be subject to from (i) Parliament and (ii) external stakeholders.

Any treaty signed between the UK and the US that requires ratification will be subject to the scrutiny procedure under the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010. The CRaG process requires that a treaty, along with an Explanatory Memorandum, be laid before Parliament for 21 joint sitting days before the treaty can be ratified.The Government will engage with external stakeholders, and it will also provide comprehensive information with Parliament, including negotiating objectives, in line with our commitment to a transparent trade policy.The Government will work with relevant select committees to ensure proper parliamentary scrutiny of any trade negotiations between the UK and the US.

Whether his Department plans to publish a Strategic Approach document for prospective US trade negotiations.

As the Prime Minister said on 27 February, we’ve decided to work with the United States on a new economic deal with advanced technology at its core. We will set out more details as discussions evolve.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the end of the US tariff rate quota on UK steel and aluminium exports from 12 March 2025 on (a) economic growth and (b) levels of exports in quarter (i) one and (ii) two of 2025.

My Department continues to engage closely with the industries affected by the US’ termination of its tariff rate quotas on steel and aluminium and to assess the potential impact on UK exports. We are resolute in our support for the UK steel and aluminium industry, which is vital to the UK economy. We have committed up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector. Our upcoming Steel Strategy will be published in the Spring. We will continue to make the case for a UK exemption to these tariffs.

If he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the implementation of the US reciprocal tariffs proposal on UK steel and aluminium exports from 12 March 2025 on (a) economic growth and (b) levels of exports.

My Department continues to engage closely with the industries affected by the implementation of the US’ reciprocal tariffs proposal. We are resolute in our support for the UK steel and aluminium industry, which is vital to the UK economy. We have committed up to £2.5 billion to rebuild the steel sector and our upcoming Steel Strategy will be published in the Spring. We will continue to make a strong case for a UK exemption to these tariffs.

What representations he has made to the (a) US Department of Commerce and (b) Office of the US Trade Representative on (i) digital services tax, (ii) value added tax and (iii) other regulatory issues relevant to the US proposals for reciprocal tariffs.

The Secretary of State has been having regular, constructive conversations with the US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, to make the case for stronger UK-US trade that benefits both our countries.We will continue to work with the US and highlight the importance of free and open trade, and we will always do what is in the national interest for our economy, businesses and the British people.

What recent discussions he has had with his Indian counterpart on free trade negotiations with that country.

The Business and Trade Secretary travelled to New Delhi in February where he engaged closely with his counterpart, Minister Goyal, to relaunch and progress negotiations towards a deal that delivers on our mutual interests of economic growth.Following from this they are continuing to work together closely to direct negotiating teams, capitalise on the positive momentum, and secure a deal that strengthens our trade and investment relationship.

With reference to the Harrington Review of Foreign Direct Investment, published on 22 November 2023, what recent progress his Department has made on implementing (a) the recommendation on a concierge service for new investors and (b) other recommendations.

The Government is continuing to deliver on the recommendations set out in the Harrington Review. That includes launching our new, modern Industrial Strategy, that will set out our vision for growth. In parallel, we are expanding the Office for Investment (OfI) which will continue to provide a concierge service for strategically important businesses and investors, with additional commercial capability, and will have a presence across the country, to work with Mayors and Devolved Administrations so that investors have access to the most attractive and commercially credible opportunities in our nations and regions.

Whether his Department has made an impact assessment for the EU Regulation on General Product Safety.

Our assessment of the impact of the updated GPSR remains that it largely formalises how businesses are operating in the UK and that where businesses need to make changes, in most cases, they are already adapting to continue trading with the EU. The measures are therefore likely to have limited impact in practice. We have provided guidance, which we will keep under review, and are engaging businesses directly to ensure they are supported to trade freely across the UK and with the EU.

How much his Department has spent on increasing awareness of the EU Regulation on General Product Safety.

The Department has received more than 500 queries on the new GPSR since June 2024, with the majority coming in December 2024. Officials have responded to these queries in a timely manner.Government has been raising awareness of the regulation through its own channels as well as through trusted stakeholders, which falls under standard operating costs for the Department. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and continue to engage directly with businesses.

How many meetings Ministers in his Department had on the EU Regulation on General Product Safety before those regulations came into force.

Ministerial colleagues and I regularly engage with businesses and business representative organisations. Further, officials in my Department have been in contact with businesses and trade bodies in anticipation of the EU GPSR's entry into force and continue to engage with them. This allows businesses to raise questions directly with the Government.

How much time staff in his Department have spent dealing with enquiries on the EU Regulation on General Product Safety in each month between June 2024 and January 2025.

The Department has received more than 500 queries on the new GPSR since June 2024, with the majority coming in December 2024. Officials have responded to these queries in a timely manner.Government has been raising awareness of the regulation through its own channels as well as through trusted stakeholders, which falls under standard operating costs for the Department. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and continue to engage directly with businesses.