Written questions by Baldwin.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the defence and security manufacturing sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill [http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments].The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill, however, our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors including social care, hospitality, retail, and some manufacturing sectors such as the manufacture of food-items will benefit the most from the Bill.The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the consumer goods sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This is available at:http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill and our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors including retail, infrastructure sectors such as transport and storage, and some consumer goods manufacturing (e.g. food-items) will benefit the most from the Bill. Our assessment suggests that the Professional Services sector is unlikely to be disproportionately impacted by the Bill.The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the professional services sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This is available at:http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill and our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors including retail, infrastructure sectors such as transport and storage, and some consumer goods manufacturing (e.g. food-items) will benefit the most from the Bill. Our assessment suggests that the Professional Services sector is unlikely to be disproportionately impacted by the Bill.The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the infrastructure sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This is available at:http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments.The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill and our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors including retail, infrastructure sectors such as transport and storage, and some consumer goods manufacturing (e.g. food-items) will benefit the most from the Bill. Our assessment suggests that the Professional Services sector is unlikely to be disproportionately impacted by the Bill.The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the advanced manufacturing sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill [http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments].The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill, however, our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors including social care, hospitality, retail, and some manufacturing sectors such as the manufacture of food-items will benefit the most from the Bill.The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the (a) chemicals and (b) plastics sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill [http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments].The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill, however, our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors including social care, hospitality, retail, and some manufacturing sectors such as the manufacture of food-items will benefit the most from the Bill.The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

On what dates the (a) Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets and (b) Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security has met with representatives from Stellantis.

My Department has had regular engagement with representatives of the automotive industry and automotive companies covering a wide range of automotive issues. I along with Secretary of State for Business and Trade have engaged with representatives from Stellantis.Neither the Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets nor the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security have met with representatives from Stellantis since 5 July 2024.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the automotive sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill [http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments].The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill, however, our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors including social care, hospitality, retail, and some manufacturing sectors such as the manufacture of food-items will benefit the most from the Bill.The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the aerospace sector.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill [http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments].The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill, however, our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors including social care, hospitality, retail, and some manufacturing sectors such as the manufacture of food-items will benefit the most from the Bill.The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Autumn Budget 2024 on the aerospace sector.

The Budget confirmed £975m over 5 years to the Aerospace sector. This provides continued stability and confidence for industry to invest in long-term R&D projects – delivering economic growth, supporting high skilled jobs across all parts of the UK, and advancing aviation’s net zero transition. Between 2013 and 2030, industry and government will invest over £5bn developing transformational aircraft technology. Long-term R&D co-investment is a core pillar of the Aerospace Growth Partnership’s 2022 strategy, where the UK sector committed to invest at least £20bn of further private investment to 2040 and abate 125 MtCO2 of UK attributable global aviation CO2 emissions.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Autumn Budget 2024 on the automotive sector.

The Budget’s announcements represent a vote of confidence in our automotive industry, enabling future jobs and growth.Over £2bn of capital and R&D funding to 2030 will support the latest research and development, accelerate commercial scale up, and unlock capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and the wider supply chain.In addition, Government is investing £200m in 2025-26 to expand electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints, £120m for new electric van grants, and strengthening consumer incentives by widening the differentials in Vehicle Excise Duty First Year Rates between EVs and hybrids vs. internal combustion engine cars.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2024 on the advanced manufacturing sector.

Advanced Manufacturing is vital to UK prosperity. The Autumn Budget awarded over £2.5bn towards advanced manufacturing, including £16m to continue the Made Smarter digitalisation programme for SMEs, £2bn towards the automotive sector, £975m to aerospace, and £520m for Life Sciences. Shortly before the budget, Advanced Manufacturing was announced as one of eight growth-driving sectors that will feature in Invest 2035: the UK’s modern industrial strategy. A targeted Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan is currently being developed in partnership with business, devolved governments, regions, experts and a range of stakeholders. The Industrial Strategy will be published in spring 2025, aligned with the multi-year Spending Review.