Written questions by Baldwin.

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.

Representing the House of Commons Commission, what is the annual cost of the Belu water used in the House of Commons; and when the contract was last tendered.

The total cost for Belu Water in the financial year 2024–25 was £54,652.50 (ex VAT).The contract for the supply of branded bottled water was last tendered in April 2025, under procurement reference GSP1294, in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (PA2023). The procurement followed a low-value process and was awarded to Belu Water Limited, which sources water from mid-Wales, for an initial term of two years, with options to extend for a further 2 x 1-year periods.The current contract commenced on 26 May 2025, and the total value, based on indicative volumes over the initial term of two years is £89,289.00 (inc. VAT), shared between the House of Commons and House of Lords on a 67:33 basis.

With reference to her Mansion House speech on 15 July 2025, what deregulatory steps her Department has taken as part of the commitment to roll back regulations that have gone too far since 15 July 2025.

The government is not aiming to deregulate, but to upgrade the UK regulatory system so that it does not unduly hold back economic growth. The UK will remain a global leader in promoting high industry standards that deliver for businesses and consumers across the UK, but the Chancellor’s speech recognised that there is a need for a rebalancing of our system – retaining important protections whilst pushing for growth and investment. The Leeds Reforms, announced alongside the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech on 15 July, included: The biggest package of reforms to the Financial Ombudsman Service since its inception, ending its present position as a quasi-regulator. The government is currently consulting on reforms to the legislative framework to return the FOS to its original purpose as a simple, impartial dispute resolution service.Plans to significantly streamline the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, to reduce the overall burden of the regime on firms by 50%.Asking the FCA to report back by the end of September on how it plans to address concerns about the application of the Consumer Duty for firms primarily engaged in wholesale activity.Undertaking a short review of the ringfencing regime, reporting by early 2026. The government intends to take forward meaningful reform of the regime to support growth, while maintaining the aspects of the regime that support financial stability and safeguard depositors.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

Whether repatriations by non-residents using the Temporary Repatriation Facility will be subject to the (a) general anti-abuse rule, (b) transfer of assets abroad rule and (c) transfer of income streams rule.

Non-UK residents cannot use the Temporary Repatriation Facility, it is only available to individuals that have both previously benefitted from the remittance basis and are tax resident in the UK in the year in which they make the election. Tax residence is determined by the Statutory Residence Test.

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 her Oral Statement of 7 July 2025 on Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life, Official Report, column 680, what steps she plans to take to help support (a) babies and (b) parents in each of the years of the 2025 Spending Review Period.

The department’s strategy, ‘Giving every child the best start in life’ set out that we will spend close to £1.5 billion over the next three years on improving family services and early years education.Over the next three years, the department will provide over half a billion pounds of investment in the Best Start Family Service to bring together parenting, healthcare and education support services to ensure all babies, children and families have access to the early intervention and support they need.The department is making big investments in early education and childcare. Government spending on funded hours will reach £9 billion next year and will continue to rise over Parliament. And we are setting aside £400 million over the next three years to improve quality in early years settings and reception classes and drive better outcomes for children.

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.

What assessment his Department has made on the potential impact of the accelerated Trade Strategy timetable on business planning.

The Government published its Trade Strategy on 26 June which was positively received by business. The Government will work closely with stakeholders on the implementation of the strategy, to ensure that resources are prioritised to deliver on key commitments such as opening new export and market opportunities and strengthening our trade defence capabilities.

With reference to the document entitled Implementing the Employment Rights Bill: Roadmap, published on 1 July 2025, whether his Department plans to publish a cost-benefit analysis of the phased implementation approach outlined in that document.

My department has published a set of Impact Assessments that provide a comprehensive analysis on the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill. This analysis is available at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessmentsThis represents the best estimate for the likely impacts, given the current stage of policy development. We already intend to publish further analysis, both in the form of an Enactment Impact Assessment when the Bill secures Royal Assent and further assessments when we consult on proposed regulations, to meet our Better Regulation requirements

What steps he is taking to ensure that the UK Export Finance expansion reaches small businesses.

Recognising the impact of the support it offers, the government recently increased UK Export Finance’s maximum commitment limit to £80 billion, enabling it to expand its finance support for UK businesses of all sizes.In 2023 to 2024, 88% of the businesses UKEF directly supported were SMEs. Its most popular product was the General Export Facility, which helped businesses to access around £576 million in working capital support.UKEF has an ambition to support over 1,000 SMEs by 2029 and will continue to innovate and launch new products, working with a wider range of banks and non-bank financial institutions to tailor the financing support that the UK’s SME exporters need.

With reference to the oral contribution of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade of 1 July 2025 in the debate on Hospitality Sector, Official Report, column 81WH, what the membership of the licensing taskforce is.

The Taskforce Terms of Reference and membership is published: Terms of Reference and taskforce member list - GOV.UK