Written questions by Baldwin.

What the terms of reference are for the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group.

In line with the commitment made between our Prime Ministers in June, the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group will meet this Autumn to deepen our trading relationship further, including to address existing market access barriers, to expand existing arrangements into new areas, such as digital trade, and to explore cooperation in the development of critical minerals and sovereign artificial intelligence infrastructure.

Who will be part of the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group.

The UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group will meet this Autumn and will consist of officials from the UK and Canadian Governments.We remain receptive to any views of relevant business and industry with an interest in UK-Canada trade.

If he will make it his policy to place in the Library a copy of the report of the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group.

Growing our bilateral trade is a shared priority. In line with the commitment made between our Prime Ministers in June, the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group will meet this Autumn with the objective of deepening the bilateral trading relationship further and seeking to address existing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade. It will report back to the Prime Minister. I will keep Parliament informed of how the discussions progress.

Which Minister has responsibility for the Post Office.

Departmental Ministerial portfolios can be found at Department for Business and Trade - GOV.UK

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of inviting external stakeholders to provide information for the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group’s consideration of market access barriers.

In line with the commitment made between our Prime Ministers in June, the UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group will meet this Autumn with the objective of deepening the bilateral trading relationship further and seeking to address existing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade.As part of our preparation for the Working Group, my department is considering feedback from a range of stakeholders to inform our approach, and we are open to receiving views from any other businesses with an interest in UK-Canada trade.The working group will begin meeting shortly and report back to both Prime Ministers in December.

What pipeline of future inward investment opportunities is being managed by the Office for Investment as of 10 September 2025.

OfI teams actively work across government to scope out potential future projects. The Government does not comment on active commercial negotiations.

Whether his Department have included diversity quotas as part of selection criteria for contracts awarded since 5 July 2024.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer my predecessor gave on 25th March 2025 to question UIN 38901 (Written questions and answers - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament).The Department has not included diversity quotas as part of selection criteria in any contracts awarded by the Department since the answer previously provided.

How many jobs have been created in each region by the Office for Investment since October 2024.

The Official Statistics for inward investment at DBT inward investment results 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK show the number of new jobs that have been created by DBT supported investment projects which landed in the 2024-25 financial year. These are split by region in table 4.2 of the results tables. Figures are presented on a financial year basis and partial years are not published.

What gross value added has been measured for the Office for Investment in each month since its initial launch in 2020.

The Official Statistics for inward investment at DBT inward investment results 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK show the estimated economic impact of DBT supported investment projects on a financial year basis. These figures have been published since 2019-20. Monthly figures are not published, however the average estimated economic impact per month over the 2020-21 to 2024-25 time period was £475m.

What was the value of inward investment deals secured by the Office for Investment in (a) October 2024, (b) June 2025 and (c) September 2025.

The Official Statistics for inward investment at DBT inward investment results 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK show both the capital expenditure and estimated economic impact as examples of value for DBT supported investment projects which landed in the 2024-25 financial year. The projects had a capital expenditure amount of £27.7bn and an estimated economic impact of £6.0bn. Monthly figures are not published, however the monthly average for 2024-25 was a capital expenditure of £2,307m and an additional estimated economic impact of £503m.Figures related to 2025-26 will be published in June 2026.

When his Department plans to make a decision on the Trade Remedies Authority’s recommendation on anti‑dumping duty on bicycles and parts from China; and if he will publish the underlying evidence before a decision is made.

On the 23 August 2024 the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) initiated a transition review of the existing anti-dumping trade remedy measures on bicycles and bike parts originating from China. The TRA published their draft recommendation on their public file on 31 July 2025, on which interested parties were invited to provide comment. However, as the review remains ongoing, I cannot comment further. The TRA will publish relevant information and evidence on the public file as the review progresses.

When he plans to publish (a) the steel strategy and (b) the Government's response to the Plan for Steel consultation which closed on 31 March 2025.

This government is developing a Steel Strategy that will set a long-term vision for a revitalised and sustainable industry and the actions needed to get there. The strategy will articulate what is needed to create a competitive business environment in the UK with the aim of attracting new private investment to secure and expand UK steelmaking capability and capacity which is aligned with our Net Zero goals. We intend to publish the Steel Strategy later in the year and will incorporate our response to the Plan for Steel consultation.

When he plans to publish the responses to the call for evidence on steel trade measures, which closed on 7 August 2025.

The Government is currently considering the responses from the Call for Evidence to shape future trade measures on steel following the expiry of the steel Safeguard in June 2026.The future of the steel sector is of great importance to this Government as well as the UK's prosperity and security. This Call for Evidence reflects the UK Government's longstanding commitment to ensuring sufficient measures are in place to address the impact of global steel overcapacity and to strengthen the security of the UK's critical supply chains.We will announce next steps in due course.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Trade Remedies Authority’s proposal to maintain anti‑dumping measures on ceramic tableware and kitchenware from China until July 2029 on (a) retailers and (b) consumers.

On the 15 May 2024 the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) initiated a transition review of the existing anti-dumping trade remedy measures on ceramic tableware and kitchenware originating from China. As the review remains ongoing, I cannot comment further. The TRA will publish relevant information on the public file as the review progresses.

When he plans to publish the (a) final Impact Assessment and (b) data tables for the UK–India trade deal.

The final Impact Assessment and accompanying data tables for the UK–India trade deal were published on 24 July.The analysis outlines the long-term economic benefits of the deal, including an estimated £4.8 billion boost to UK GDP and £2.2 billion increase in wages annually.

What discussions he has had with his Canadian counterpart on reducing trade tariffs with that country.

Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with trade underpinned by our existing trade agreement – which keeps almost 99% of tariffs at 0 - worth around £28 billion in 2024.The Business and Trade Secretary had a warm introductory conversation with his Canadian counterpart Minister Sidhu at the G7, where they agreed to work together on deepening and growing the bilateral trading relationship further.Furthermore, as agreed between our Prime Ministers at the G7, the UK and Canada have established a new Working Group to deepen the bilateral trading relationship further. This will include exploring reducing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade and expanding existing arrangements.

How many (a) corporate and (b) personal insolvencies were recorded by the Insolvency Service in each of the last twelve months.

The Insolvency Service collates and publishes insolvency statistics from across the UK. Tables 1 and 2 below present the numbers of companies and individuals entering insolvency in England & Wales, Scotland (companies only) and Northern Ireland in each of the 12 months to June 2025.Table 1: Company insolvencies, England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025MonthEngland and WalesScotlandNorthern IrelandJuly 20242,08511720August 20241,92110211September 20241,9477328October 20241,73111531November 20241,97111416December 20241,8658223January 20251,9887528February 20252,02110321March 20252,01611829April 20252,06210130May 20252,23013353June 20252,04310525Table 2: Individual insolvencies, England & Wales, Northern Ireland, 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025MonthEngland & WalesNorthern IrelandJuly 202410,564152August 20249,97290September 202410,513155October 20249,125155November 202410,010144December 202410,044101January 20259,578141February 20259,948126March 20259,329134April 202510,102123May 202510,113102June 202510,279167Scottish individual insolvency numbers are published quarterly. Numbers of individuals in Scotland entering insolvency in each of the last 4 quarters to June 2025 are presented in Table 3 below.Table 3: Individual insolvencies, Scotland, 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025QuarterIndividual InsolvenciesJuly to September 20241,893October to December 20241,785January to March 20251,671April to June 20251,935

What his planned timetable is for free trade discussions with Canada.

Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with trade underpinned by our existing trade agreement worth around £28 billion in 2024.As agreed between our Prime Ministers at the G7, the UK and Canada have established a new Working Group to deepen the bilateral trading relationship further. This includes seeking to address existing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade and expanding existing arrangements.The working group will begin meeting in the months ahead and report back to both Prime Ministers in December.

What tariffs applied to steel exports to the United States of America on 9 July 2025.

Thanks to our trade deal with the US, the UK remains the only country to have avoided 50% tariffs on steel and aluminium. A 25% tariff continues to apply to UK steel exports. President Trump’s Executive Order on 3 June reconfirmed this will be removed once a US for UK quota is implemented, as per the Economic Prosperity Deal. We are in constant dialogue with domestic steel and aluminium sectors. We will continue to work with the US to get this deal implemented as soon as possible and in industry's best interests – supporting industry and protecting jobs.

With reference to paragraph 7 of the document entitled Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: Roadmap, published on 1 July 2025, what criteria his Department plans to use to determine which provisions of the Trade Union Act 2016 will be repealed (a) through secondary legislation and (b) upon Royal Assent of the Employment Rights Bill.

Clause 156 of the Employment Rights Bill sets out the clauses of the Bill, which repeal various provisions of the Trade Union Act 2016, that will be repealed two months following Royal Assent. Commencement dates for remaining clauses that repeal provisions of the Trade Union Act 2016 will be provided for in secondary legislation. The commencement dates for these clauses will be confirmed in due course.