Written questions by Stainbank.

Since 4 July 2024 how many reports regarding conduct of directions from insolvency practitioners included reports of gratuitous alienation.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of harmonising import duties on foreign manufactured diesel and zero-emission buses.

Awaiting answer.

How many people in Scotland are employed in sectors eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.

Based on the latest available employment data, over 64,000 people in Scotland are employed in sectors with Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes that are eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.Eligibility under the scheme will be based on both SIC codes to identify eligible manufacturing sectors and Harmonised System (HS) codes to confirm eligible products. Employment figures are therefore indicative and not all businesses within an eligible SIC code will necessarily qualify for support.

What the latest date is a company must have been incorporated on to be eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.

The Government can confirm that whilst there is no explicit latest date at which a company must have been incorporated to be eligible for the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, companies will be required to provide 6 months of historic electricity consumption data at the point at which they apply. This is to enable the Department to accurately assess a company’s eligibility for the scheme. Further detail on application timing is set out in the Government’s current consultation on scheme delivery. The Government will provide more guidance for businesses over the Summer.

What steps his Department is taking to protect workers’ terms and conditions including through the implementation of short-time working arrangements in the construction industry.

The Construction Industry Working Rule Agreement, collectively negotiated between employer organisations and trade unions to establish agreed terms and conditions, is a matter for the industry. This agreement provides a consistent framework for fair treatment of workers across the sector, supporting stability and clarity for both employers and employees.Looking ahead, the Employment Rights Bill will modernise our employment rights legislation. It will provide a new baseline of security for workers including through day one protection from unfair dismissal, increasing protection from sexual harassment, strengthening Statutory Sick Pay and ending exploitative zero hours contacts and tackling fire and rehire.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of support to reduce industrial electricity costs on job (a) creation and (b) retention in energy-intensive manufacturing sectors in Scotland.

The Government delivers electricity cost relief schemes to provide support to businesses in energy intensive sectors across the country, including businesses in Scotland, to remain competitive and protect thousands of well paid, British jobs. The British Industry Supercharger cuts electricity costs for around 550 energy intensive businesses, and the Government recently confirmed an uplift in relief through its Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90%. This will further reduce the gap in electricity prices between the UK and other countries. Additionally, from 2027, the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will cut electricity costs for even more businesses.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Chinese ownership of critical transport infrastructure on national security.

Transport infrastructure is an integral part of the UK economy, moving people, goods and enabling economic growth, as recognised in the Industrial Strategy. The security of the sector is of the upmost importance to the government.Transport is one of the 17 key sectors in the National Security and Investment Act (NSIA). The government has the power to assess, and intervene in, investments in the UK's key transport infrastructure for national security risks. The NSIA is actor agnostic and allows the government to act regardless of an entity's nationality. Each transaction is taken on its own merit.

How many applications his Department has made to restore a company to the register under section 1029(2)(a) of the Companies Act 2006 since 5 July 2024.

The Secretary of State made no applications to court for the restoration of a company pursuant to s.1029 of the Companies Act 2006 during the period in question. Within that period, in the context of a petition to wind up a company pursuant to s.124A of the Insolvency Act 1986, the Secretary of State did however request, and was granted, leave of the court to restore one company.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure the long-term competitiveness of the bus manufacturing sector.

The Government is committed to strengthening the long-term competitiveness of the UK bus manufacturing sector and accelerating the shift to zero-emission vehicles. This includes reforms to bus procurement, supporting the work of the DfT UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panels, and a £15 billion investment over five years to improve local transport in the North and Midlands, supporting sector growth and new zero-emission buses. Through DRIVE35, we are providing funding to support R&D and commercial scaling of zero-emission vehicles, creating skilled jobs and attracting private investment for sustained sector success.

Whether he has had recent discussions with his counterpart in the Scottish government on the potential impact of the Subsidy Control Act 2022 on the bus manufacturing industry.

The Subsidy Control Act 2022 enables public authorities to deliver targeted and timely interventions to address local needs and drive economic growth while minimising harm to competition within the UK. It also implements the UK’s international commitments, including those in the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and World Trade Organization rules. The UK and Scottish Governments established a joint taskforce in June to consider the situation at Alexander Dennis, and ministers from both Governments have been in correspondence on the matter since then. The Scottish Government recently announced it would provide additional subsidy to Alexander Dennis for a furlough scheme.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of introducing a ban on employer deductions for tipped workers.

The Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023 ensures all tips, gratuities and service charges must be passed on to staff in full – except for permitted deductions like tax.It is estimated this ban on employer deductions ensures workers receive around £200 million worth of tips each year that was previously retained by employers. A statutory code of practice was published to support employers on fair and transparent distribution of tips and ensure the requirements are followed.This Government will go further, making it mandatory for employers to consult with workers at their place of business when developing their tipping policies.

Whether any arms export licences held by Elbit Systems UK were suspended on 2 September 2024 following the review of Israel’s compliance with international humanitarian law.

We suspended export licences for Israel where these relate to items for use in military operations in Gaza. This includes licences for components for fighter aircraft, helicopters and drones, naval systems and targeting equipment.Since the details of individual suspended licences contain sensitive information relevant to the individual exporter companies, the government is not providing further comment on them.

What recent discussions his Department has had with the Scottish Government on the impact of 10% tariffs on UK exports to the USA on the Scottish economy; and what steps he is taking with the Scottish Government to help mitigate that impact.

The US market is Scotland's second largest export market for goods, worth £4bn in 2024. In response to US tariffs, the government launched a Request for Input on the 3 April to gather feedback directly from stakeholders across the whole of the UK that could be affected by our possible response options.On 8 May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, saving thousands of jobs, protecting key British industries, and helping drive economic growth. DBT Ministers and officials engaged regularly with the Devolved Governments on US tariffs during the progress of the talks with the US and continue to do so.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the ongoing UK–US trade negotiations (a) in July 2025 and (b) at other times on (i) manufacturers and (ii) exporters in Scotland; and what steps he is taking to ensure that (A) automotive manufacturing and (B) other sectors with a significant presence in Falkirk are included in any future trade agreement.

We are currently implementing the first phase of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal. The deal protects manufacturing through the removal of tariffs for aerospace goods and reducing tariffs for automotive, alongside the implementation of a new quota. The US was the 2nd largest goods export market for Scotland in 2024. We will continue our extensive engagement with businesses from across the UK, including those in Scotland, throughout these remaining negotiations.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of changes in the market share of e-bikes imported from China out of all e-bikes sold in the UK since 6 February 2025.

UK bicycle manufacturers play a key role in supporting our green growth ambitions. The Government’s Industrial and Trade Strategies are designed to support innovation, sustainability, and skills development, to help businesses grow, create new jobs, and compete internationally. The independent Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) assessed the market share of e-bikes imported from China as part of its recent anti-dumping review. Following the TRA's recommendation, anti-dumping measures on Chinese folding e-bikes were extended on 6 February 2025. The TRA will continue to assess the effectiveness of these measures, including any changes in market share.

When he plans to bring forward the Industrial Strategy Bill.

We will introduce an Industrial Strategy Bill to implement measures within the White Paper that require primary legislation when parliamentary time allows. This will include provisions to put the Industrial Strategy Council on a statutory footing, underlining our commitment to policy stability, continuity, and delivery of our 10-year plan. We will also use the Bill to legislate for wider measures, such as supporting businesses with their electricity costs.

What recent discussions his Department has had with (a) the Scottish Government and (b) industry representatives on supporting the growth of Scotland’s offshore wind supply chain; and what steps he is taking to ensure Scottish businesses can gain from UK offshore wind deployment targets and associated manufacturing opportunities.

The Department ensures Scotland benefits from our world-leading offshore wind deployment by supporting the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero with the Contract for Difference’s Clean Industry Bonus, which awards developers who invest in sustainable supply chains. The Energy Secretary has already increased the bonus from an initial £200m to £544m to support clean energy growth, including in Scotland’s industrial heartlands and coastal communities. We are also supporting the delivery of Great British Energy’s £300m grant funding to secure investment in domestic supply chains, including in Scotland.The Department regularly engages with Scottish Government and industry representatives. For example, UK and Scottish Governments participated in a roundtable in Edinburgh to discuss clean energy supply chains, including floating offshore wind.

If his Department will take steps to support advanced manufacturing following the introduction of US tariffs.

Advanced manufacturing is critical to UK prosperity. This Government will continue to support the sector through our forthcoming Industrial Strategy, where advanced manufacturing has been selected as one of eight growth-driving sectors. We remain committed to discussions with the US on a wider economic deal that works both for the UK and the US but nothing is off the table - we will do what is necessary to defend the UK’s national interest. That is why on 3 April, we launched a Request for Input to give businesses the chance to have their say and influence the UK response.

If his Department will take steps to support small businesses following the introduction of US tariffs.

We remain committed to discussions with the US on a wider economic deal that works for both countries but this Government will do what is necessary to defend the UK’s national interest. On 3 April, we launched a Request for Input from businesses, offering them a chance to influence the design of a possible UK response. We continue to support businesses of all sizes to grow and export globally, including to the US. Through Great.gov.uk, businesses will be able to access export support programmes including the Export Academy, International Markets Network, Growth Hubs and Help to Grow: Management scheme.