Written questions by Jones.

How many enquiries his Department has received 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.

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.

Which parts of the (a) UK-Australia and (b) UK-New Zealand trade agreements will be monitored as part of the biennial monitoring reports on those treaties.

The Department is currently considering our approach to FTA monitoring, and we will provide an update on this in due course to align with the Trade Strategy.

Which groups his Department will consult for its biennial monitoring reports on the (a) UK-Australia and (b) UK-New Zealand free trade agreements.

The Department for Business and Trade engages with and recognises the need to understand a range of stakeholder perspectives in its aims to monitor Free Trade Agreements, including Australia and New Zealand.

What steps his Department is taking to provide employment protections for (a) young cancer patients and (b) their families.

It is important that people with cancer are supported to return to, or remain in work, if that is what they choose to do. Workers with cancer and their carers are protected from employment discrimination under the Equality Act 2010. Their family members or friends may also be entitled to up to a week of unpaid carer’s leave to support them. We are reviewing implementation of carer’s leave and are exploring whether additional support may be needed.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of EU Regulation on General Product Safety (2023/988) on small businesses.

The updated GPSR largely formalises how many businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. However, we understand that for some businesses, the regulation will require changes, and we take any concerns very seriously. Government is supporting small businesses to understand the regulation. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and we are continuing to engage directly with businesses. Firms exporting to the EU should note that EU guidance is now available and may also wish to contact the Government’s Export Support Service.

What steps his Department has taken to support small businesses with meeting the requirements of the EU Regulation on General Product Safety (2023/988).

The updated GPSR largely formalises how many businesses are already operating in the UK and the measures are therefore likely to have limited impact. However, we understand that for some businesses, the regulation will require changes, and we take any concerns very seriously. Government is supporting small businesses to understand the regulation. We have published guidance on GPSR in Northern Ireland, which we will keep under review, and we are continuing to engage directly with businesses. Firms exporting to the EU should note that EU guidance is now available and may also wish to contact the Government’s Export Support Service.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2024 to Question 10718 on Trade Agreements, what opportunities he plans to provide to parliamentarians to scrutinise proposed free trade agreements.

As well as meeting our statutory obligations under CRaG, the Government will continue to provide additional information and time to support parliamentary scrutiny of FTAs. This includes running a call for evidence on proposed new negotiations, publishing negotiating objectives and publishing regular updates throughout negotiations. Following signature of a new FTA, the Government will publish the full treaty text along with an Impact Assessment and explanatory memorandum and allow a reasonable period of time for Parliament to consider the agreement before commencing the formal CRaG scrutiny period.

Pursuant to his Answer on 24 October 2024 to Question 8573 on Trade, if he will publish his trade strategy prior to the conclusion of trade negotiations.

As recently outlined in the Chancellors budget, we intend to publish the Trade Strategy in the Spring.

Pursuant to the Answer of 28 October 2024 to Question 10718 on Trade Agreements, whether he plans to include labour rights protections in prospective trade agreements.

The Government will protect our labour standards in new trade agreements. To date, we have secured chapters on labour in FTAs with Australia and New Zealand, and within CPTPP. The UK also has labour provisions in a range of other agreements.  We will continue to work internationally to strengthen workers’ rights and enhance labour standards globally.

If he will make it his policy to include human rights clauses in trade agreements.

The UK is a leading advocate for human rights around the world. This work takes place separately to negotiations on Free Trade Agreements. While aspects of trade policy can provide the opportunity to address other issues in our bilateral relationships, Free Trade Agreements are not generally the most effective or targeted tool to advance human rights issues.

Pursuant to the Answer of 31 October 2024 on Question 11149 on Trade Agreements: Parliamentary Scrutiny, if he will announce his plans for scrutiny arrangements of trade deals prior to the conclusion of the negotiations of those deals.

The Government will continue to fulfil commitments set out under the current scrutiny framework for free trade agreements (FTAs).

Pursuant to the Answer of 11 November 2024 to Question 12540 on Trade Agreements: Gulf Cooperation Council, whether his Department has made an assessment of the extent to which the supply chains of Gulf Cooperation Council member states use forced labour.

The UK remains committed to eradicating forced labour in global supply chains, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, and commitments made through the G7. No company should have forced labour in its supply chains. Trade deals like the UK-GCC FTA will be aligned with the trade and industrial strategies. This Government is committed to working with international partners to ensure global supply chains are free from human and labour rights abuses.

If he will make it his policy to increase the variety of ownership amongst large breweries in the public sector.

The Government recognises that competition drives better consumer outcomes, productivity, innovation and, ultimately, economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority is the UK’s independent competition authority charged with upholding and promoting competition. The Government wants to work with the hospitality industry, including the pub sector, to identify the barriers to brewers accessing their local markets, particularly where there is consumer demand, for example in tourist areas, and to look at options for overcoming those barriers. Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

What steps his Department is taking to increase competition in the (a) pub and (b) breweries sector in Wokingham constituency.

The Government recognises that competition drives better consumer outcomes, productivity, innovation and, ultimately, economic growth. The Competition and Markets Authority is the UK’s independent competition authority charged with upholding and promoting competition. The Government wants to work with the hospitality industry, including the pub sector, to identify the barriers to small brewers accessing their local markets, particularly where there is consumer demand, for example in tourist areas, and to look at options for overcoming those barriers. The Government will also consult on ways to encourage small brewers to retain and expand their access to UK pubs, maximising drinkers’ choice and local economies, including through provisions to enable more ‘guest beers’ Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

What steps his Department is taking to help promote the growth of independent brewers in Wokingham constituency.

The government will consult on ways to ensure that independent brewers can retain and expand their access to UK pubs, and maximise drinkers’ choice, including through provisions to enable ‘guest beers’. In recognition of the economic and cultural importance of pubs, and the wider “on trade”, the Government is reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products – approximately 60% of the alcoholic drinks sold in pubs. This represents an overall reduction in duty bills of over £85m a year. This Government remains committed to helping small businesses and independent brewers thrive and will be publishing our Small Business Strategy next year. This will set out our vision for all small businesses, from boosting scale-ups to growing the co-operative economy. Support is also available via the Business Support Service, Gov.uk and the network of local Growth Hubs across England. The Government-backed British Business Bank also improves access to finance to help businesses grow. Businesses who want to start exporting or expand into new markets can access support through our digital GREAT.gov.uk platform and Export Support Service. We are supporting businesses to build their exporting knowledge and capability through our online Export Academy programme and series of ‘peer to peer’ networking events around the UK. Additionally, The Department for Business and Trade has a network of international trade advisers offering one to one support across England including Wokingham where we directly support three local craft breweries in the area.

For what reason his Department is pursuing a multilateral free trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council rather than bilateral agreements with the member states.

The UK and GCC Member States have agreed to negotiate a GCC-wide FTA, reflecting the opportunities this presents to increase trade and investment with all parties. The GCC is equivalent to the UK’s 9th largest trading partner. During the Call for Input launched in advance of negotiations and subsequently, businesses and stakeholders expressed a preference for a UK-GCC FTA. An FTA will enable UK businesses to benefit from preferential access with all six GCC markets, unlocking new opportunities and giving them an advantage over international competitors. We are committed to further deepening the bilateral trade and investment relationship through formal and informal dialogue with Gulf partners.

If he will include dispute settlement mechanisms on (a) human rights and (b) labour into any Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

We do not comment on the details of live negotiations.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of a Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council on human rights in member states of that council.

We’re proud of the UK’s role as a leading human rights advocate worldwide. This work takes place separately to trade negotiations, but growing our trading relationships is one way to promote British values abroad while boosting our economy. The GCC is an economically and strategically important group of countries and an ambitious trade deal is firmly in the UK’s national interest, helping to achieve the highest sustained growth in the G7. Strengthening our trading relationships increases UK influence, enabling open discussions with partners on a range of issues. Our close relationship with our partners in the Gulf allows us to discuss important issues such as human rights at official and Ministerial level.

Whether UK Export Finance is taking steps to support companies in Wokingham constituency sell their goods and services overseas.

In its role as the UK’s export credit agency, UK Export Finance has a range of products designed to support exporters or businesses with export potential. In 2023/24, UKEF provided £8.8 billion in support for UK exports, including the extension of a £200,000 General Export Facility for a company based in Wokingham. UKEF’s full product suite can be found at: www.ukexportfinance.gov.uk/products-and-services/. UKEF also has a network of export finance managers around the whole country who are valuable points of contact for local businesses and can provide information on the range of support available. Contact details for the EFMs can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/find-an-export-finance-manager. Businesses in Wokingham and across the country seeking to sell overseas can also access support from the Department and Business and Trade, such as our network of International Trade Advisors and guidance on GREAT.GOV.UK