Written questions by Cartlidge.

What is the maximum amount of investment that the British Business Bank can provide.

Awaiting answer.

What is the average amount of funding that the British Business Bank has provided in financial years (a) 2024-25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.

Awaiting answer.

What is the minimum amount of investment that the British Business Bank can provide.

Awaiting answer.

What discussions his Department has had with Royal Mail to ensure that (a) the NHS barcode system is fully operational and that (b) NHS bodies understand how to implement it effectively.

The Government supports the measures being taken to ensure important communications from the NHS reach households on time and we encourage NHS bodies to make use of this service. I recently met Alistair Cochrane, CEO of Royal Mail, and Martin Seidenberg, CEO of International Distribution Services, and raised concerns about Royal Mail’s performance with them. They reported continued targeted action to improve reliability and to deliver further sustained improvements. The government will continue to raise concerns with Royal Mail if the company’s quality of service does not improve. It is for Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to set and monitor Royal Mail’s obligations and has told Royal Mail it must urgently publish and deliver a credible plan that delivers major and continuous improvement.

What steps his department is taking to help ensure that Royal Mail provide timely and reliable delivery of NHS appointment letters to patients in rural constituencies.

The government recognises the importance of timely delivery of NHS appointment letters, particularly for patients in rural areas. Royal Mail is required under the Universal Service Obligation to deliver priority letters six days a week to every UK address, and Ofcom monitors compliance with these standards. It is for Ofcom to decide how to use its powers to investigate and take enforcement action should Royal Mail fail to achieve its obligations without good justification.

Whether he has met with representatives of the National Security Strategic Investment Fund since 5 July 2024.

The Secretary of State for Business and Trade has not met with representatives of the National Security Strategic Investment Fund (NSSIF) since his appointment.While the Secretary of State is the sole shareholder of the British Business Bank, which provides operational support and the investment platform for NSSIF, the strategic mandate and policy direction for NSSIF are set by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

What steps he is taking to promote the UK sugar beet industry in international trade negotiations.

This Government recognises the importance of the UK sugar beet industry. In all our trade negotiations we seek to open up new markets for British agricultural, food and drink exports, including UK-produced sugars.The UK is also an active member of the International Sugar Organization, a body that facilitates global dialogue on sugar trade, production and sustainability.

What discussions he has had with his US counterpart on a reciprocal tariff-rate quota for refined white sugar in the UK-US trade deal.

In May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US which will save thousands of jobs, protect key British industries, and help drive economic growth.Further negotiations across a range of areas are ongoing. We do not comment on the specifics of live negotiations.Both Ministers and senior DBT officials continue to engage extensively with industry – including representatives from the British sugar sector – to ensure their views are heard throughout the negotiation process.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to the universal service obligation on (a) postal services and (b) South Suffolk constituency.

It is the responsibility of Ofcom, as the independent regulator of postal services, to ensure the provision of a universal postal service that meets the reasonable needs of users, throughout the United Kingdom, and is financially sustainable and efficient.

What steps his Department is taking to tackle financial scams committed by online firms.

Supporting law enforcement in combatting online fraud and other economic crimes, my Department, through its sponsored bodies, plays a critical role in supplying data on UK registered commercial entities to assist investigations and prosecutions.Companies House and the Insolvency Service work closely with the National Economic Crime Centre and similar agencies to identify threats and trends to facilitate UK law enforcement in preventing and closing down such scams at the earliest opportunity.Through the Consumer Protection Partnership, we raise awareness about how to spot, avoid and report scams. The Scams Awareness Campaign recently run by Citizens Advice had particular focus on the top financial scams: fake debt advice; friend in need scams; investment scams; pension scams; and parking QR code scams

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the application of the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

The consumer rights framework is kept under review to ensure it continues to provide effective consumer protection. For example, the department is implementing the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 which strengthens enforcement of this framework by giving the CMA new direct enforcement powers and the CMA and court enforcers the ability to impose significant monetary penalties where necessary.

What steps he is taking to support rural post offices.

There are over 11,500 post office branches in the UK – over half are in rural areas – which the Government supports through an annual £50m network subsidy to ensure the viability of rural and community branches. Government further works to ensure Post Off...

What discussions he has had with the Post Office Ltd on cutting exceptional payments for post offices.

While publicly owned, Post Office, as a commercial business with its own Board, operates at arm’s length from the Government. Therefore, the issue around exceptional payments is an operational matter for the Post Office. The Post Office has however inform...

What steps he is taking to help ensure that post offices in South Suffolk constituency remain financially viable businesses entities.

The Post Office is an essential service in communities across the country. The Government is committed to finding ways to strengthen the Post Office, through consulting with sub-postmasters, trade unions and customers. This will include supporting the dev...

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, whether that funding is additional funding on top of pre-existing levels of export finance support from the UK to Ukraine.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, whether any (a) goods and (b) services are excluded from the funding arrangement.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, whether the finance provided will be subject to UK Export Finance’s Transition Export Development Guarantee.

UK Export Finance's Export Development Guarantee product helps companies who export from, or plan to export from the UK, access high value loan facilities for general working capital or capital expenditure purposes. The risk associated with this product remains centred in the UK, and consequently does not impact UKEF’s market limit for Ukraine.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, what his planned timetable is for making the additional finance available.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.

With reference to the £3.5 billion defence export finance deal for Ukraine, announced on 18 July 2024, what percentage of UK- (a) manufactured and (b) originated content will be required for (i) goods and (ii) services purchased under the arrangement to qualify for support.

More than two years since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, the UK continues to stand resolutely with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression.£3.5 billion is the total capacity UK Export Finance (UKEF) has to support transactions with Ukraine. It is already in place for support for eligible transactions, including any future transactions entered into under the new treaty. All transactions are subject to UKEF’s regular due diligence and approvals processes.