Written questions by McMurdock.

What steps his Department has taken since the enactment of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025 to strengthen enforcement against the online sale of prohibited asbestos-containing products.

Awaiting answer.

With reference to their Department’s press release entitled Government cuts electricity bill for 10,000 manufacturers in boost for UK competitiveness, published on 15 April 2026, how many businesses in (a) Basildon, (b) Thurrock and (c) Essex are expected to benefit from this policy.

The Government cannot provide exact figures for eligible businesses by specific location. Businesses can refer to the Government’s response to the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme consultation on eligibility, published on 16 April, which includes an annex setting out the eligible Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) and Harmonised System (HS) codes. The Department for Business and Trade will also publish an online eligibility checker later this year to enable businesses to self‑assess whether they are likely to be eligible for the scheme.

With reference to their Department’s press release entitled Government cuts electricity bill for 10,000 manufacturers in boost for UK competitiveness, published on 15 April 2026, whether he held discussions with manufacturing sector representatives about cuts to electricity bills prior to the announcement of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme.

The Secretary of State and Ministers have had extensive and ongoing discussions with the manufacturing sector on electricity costs and UK competitiveness, both prior to and following the announcement of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS). Scheme eligibility has been informed by wide stakeholder engagement, including a public consultation that received responses from industry bodies and individual businesses, including SMEs, alongside ministerial and official engagement with industry. Ministers and officials will continue to engage with businesses to support access to, and awareness of, the scheme and with businesses not eligible for BICS on energy costs and wider competitiveness issues.

With reference to their Department’s press release entitled Government cuts electricity bill for 10,000 manufacturers in boost for UK competitiveness, published on 15 April 2026, what discussions Ministers have had with manufacturers not eligible for the scheme regarding their exclusion.

The Secretary of State and Ministers have had extensive and ongoing discussions with the manufacturing sector on electricity costs and UK competitiveness, both prior to and following the announcement of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS). Scheme eligibility has been informed by wide stakeholder engagement, including a public consultation that received responses from industry bodies and individual businesses, including SMEs, alongside ministerial and official engagement with industry. Ministers and officials will continue to engage with businesses to support access to, and awareness of, the scheme and with businesses not eligible for BICS on energy costs and wider competitiveness issues.

With reference to their Department’s press release entitled Government cuts electricity bill for 10,000 manufacturers in boost for UK competitiveness, published on 15 April 2026, what discussions Ministers have had with small and medium-sized manufacturers on their access to and awareness of the scheme.

The Secretary of State and Ministers have had extensive and ongoing discussions with the manufacturing sector on electricity costs and UK competitiveness, both prior to and following the announcement of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS). Scheme eligibility has been informed by wide stakeholder engagement, including a public consultation that received responses from industry bodies and individual businesses, including SMEs, alongside ministerial and official engagement with industry. Ministers and officials will continue to engage with businesses to support access to, and awareness of, the scheme and with businesses not eligible for BICS on energy costs and wider competitiveness issues.

With reference to their Department’s press release entitled Government cuts electricity bill for 10,000 manufacturers in boost for UK competitiveness, published on 15 April 2026, which industry bodies and individual companies were consulted in determining eligibility criteria for the expanded scheme.

The Secretary of State and Ministers have had extensive and ongoing discussions with the manufacturing sector on electricity costs and UK competitiveness, both prior to and following the announcement of the British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme (BICS). Scheme eligibility has been informed by wide stakeholder engagement, including a public consultation that received responses from industry bodies and individual businesses, including SMEs, alongside ministerial and official engagement with industry. Ministers and officials will continue to engage with businesses to support access to, and awareness of, the scheme and with businesses not eligible for BICS on energy costs and wider competitiveness issues.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Reforms to make it easier for overseas companies to move to the UK, published on 25 March 2026, what safeguards will be in place to prevent companies relocating to the UK to avoid regulatory or legal obligations in their original jurisdiction.

Under current proposals set out for public consultation, re-domiciled companies will retain all criminal and civil liabilities, and all contracts, debts and other obligations, to which the re-domiciling body corporate was subject immediately before re-domiciliation.To successfully re-domicile, companies will need to provide proof of de-registration in the departing jurisdiction within 60 days of registration in the UK. It is expected that the departing jurisdiction will satisfy itself that the body corporate has met any existing jurisdiction-specific liabilities that need to be met prior to approving its exit and de-registration.Companies must also confirm in their application that any authorisation or other action required by the departing jurisdiction has been given or will have been given on re-domiciliation and that the body corporate is not prevented from making the application because it is subject to a restriction on applying with an offence for making a false or misleading statement in the application.Once a body corporate has re-domiciled to the UK, it will be treated in the same way as a company originally incorporated in the UK . This includes relevant new requirements introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, such as confirming that future activities will be lawful and for the proposed directors and persons of significant control to have their identities verified.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Reforms to make it easier for overseas companies to move to the UK, published on 25 March 2026, whether companies relocating under the proposed regime will be required to settle outstanding tax liabilities in their original jurisdiction.

Under current proposals set out for public consultation, re-domiciled companies will retain all criminal and civil liabilities, and all contracts, debts and other obligations, to which the re-domiciling body corporate was subject immediately before re-domiciliation.To successfully re-domicile, companies will need to provide proof of de-registration in the departing jurisdiction within 60 days of registration in the UK. It is expected that the departing jurisdiction will satisfy itself that the body corporate has met any existing jurisdiction-specific liabilities that need to be met prior to approving its exit and de-registration.Companies must also confirm in their application that any authorisation or other action required by the departing jurisdiction has been given or will have been given on re-domiciliation and that the body corporate is not prevented from making the application because it is subject to a restriction on applying with an offence for making a false or misleading statement in the application.Once a body corporate has re-domiciled to the UK, it will be treated in the same way as a company originally incorporated in the UK . This includes relevant new requirements introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, such as confirming that future activities will be lawful and for the proposed directors and persons of significant control to have their identities verified.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Reforms to make it easier for overseas companies to move to the UK, published on 25 March 2026, what estimate he has made of the number of overseas companies which have been deterred from relocating to the UK under the current system.

The Government has published an analytical paper alongside the consultation providing a high-level assessment of the likely impacts. Initial analysis suggests that the regime would help to make the UK more attractive to companies wishing to change their domicile and signal the UK’s openness to business, and position as a global centre. The impact on the UK economy is therefore expected to be positive, but the scale of that impact is uncertain. A further, more detailed assessment, incorporating the findings of the consultation, will be produced to accompany the legislation that introduces the re-domiciliation regime.During the Department’s stakeholder engagement, some companies indicated that they decided against moving to the UK under the current system, which they found to be prohibitive. However, the Department is unable to estimate the overall number of non-UK companies that have been deterred from relocating to the UK under the current system as this is not information that is ordinarily published or announced by companies.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Reforms to make it easier for overseas companies to move to the UK, published on 25 March 2026, what timetable he has set for introducing legislation to implement the re-domiciliation regime.

A corporate re-domiciliation regime will require primary legislation to implement the required changes to company, insolvency and tax legislation. The Government is committed to introducing legislation when parliamentary time allows.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Reforms to make it easier for overseas companies to move to the UK, published on 25 March 2026, what quantitative assessment he has made of the potential economic benefits of introducing a re-domiciliation regime.

The Government has published an analytical paper alongside the consultation providing a high-level assessment of the likely impacts. Initial analysis suggests that the regime would help to make the UK more attractive to companies wishing to change their domicile and signal the UK’s openness to business, and position as a global centre. The impact on the UK economy is therefore expected to be positive, but the scale of that impact is uncertain. A further, more detailed assessment, incorporating the findings of the consultation, will be produced to accompany the legislation that introduces the re-domiciliation regime.During the Department’s stakeholder engagement, some companies indicated that they decided against moving to the UK under the current system, which they found to be prohibitive. However, the Department is unable to estimate the overall number of non-UK companies that have been deterred from relocating to the UK under the current system as this is not information that is ordinarily published or announced by companies.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Reforms to make it easier for overseas companies to move to the UK, published on 25 March 2026, what criteria will be used to determine whether an overseas company can transfer its incorporation to the UK.

Under current proposals set out for public consultation, re-domiciliation to the UK will be available to bodies corporate located in a jurisdiction that permits outward re-domiciliation to the UK and which fulfil the following requirements:Meet the definition for a ‘body corporate’ as defined in section 1173(1) of the Companies Act 2006.Intend to carry on business following its re-domiciliation.Are solvent.Not subject to (and its proposed directors, persons with significant control or members are not subject to) asset freezes or director disqualifications sanctions.Provide all the information required to apply to re-domicile to the UK. This includes all the information that someone forming a company in the UK would provide as well as additional information. This includes confirmation that any authorisation or other action required by the departing jurisdiction has been given or will have been given on re-domiciliation and that the body corporate is not prevented from making the application because it is subject to a restriction on applying.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Reforms to make it easier for overseas companies to move to the UK, published on 25 March 2026, which types of overseas companies will be eligible to relocate to the UK under the proposed regime.

Under current proposals set out for public consultation, re-domiciliation to the UK will be available to bodies corporate located in a jurisdiction that permits outward re-domiciliation to the UK and which fulfil the following requirements:Meet the definition for a ‘body corporate’ as defined in section 1173(1) of the Companies Act 2006.Intend to carry on business following its re-domiciliation.Are solvent.Not subject to (and its proposed directors, persons with significant control or members are not subject to) asset freezes or director disqualifications sanctions.Provide all the information required to apply to re-domicile to the UK. This includes all the information that someone forming a company in the UK would provide as well as additional information. This includes confirmation that any authorisation or other action required by the departing jurisdiction has been given or will have been given on re-domiciliation and that the body corporate is not prevented from making the application because it is subject to a restriction on applying.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Reforms to make it easier for overseas companies to move to the UK, published on 25 March 2026, what assessment he has made of the capacity of Companies House to process an increased volume of company registrations resulting from the reforms.

The Department for Business and Trade will continue to work closely with Companies House to ensure the regime will be implemented effectively and applications can be processed in a timely manner.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Reforms to make it easier for overseas companies to move to the UK, published on 25 March 2026, how the proposed re-domiciliation regime will interact with recent reforms to Companies House, including identity verification requirements.

Under current proposals set out for public consultation, re-domiciled companies will retain all criminal and civil liabilities, and all contracts, debts and other obligations, to which the re-domiciling body corporate was subject immediately before re-domiciliation.To successfully re-domicile, companies will need to provide proof of de-registration in the departing jurisdiction within 60 days of registration in the UK. It is expected that the departing jurisdiction will satisfy itself that the body corporate has met any existing jurisdiction-specific liabilities that need to be met prior to approving its exit and de-registration.Companies must also confirm in their application that any authorisation or other action required by the departing jurisdiction has been given or will have been given on re-domiciliation and that the body corporate is not prevented from making the application because it is subject to a restriction on applying with an offence for making a false or misleading statement in the application.Once a body corporate has re-domiciled to the UK, it will be treated in the same way as a company originally incorporated in the UK . This includes relevant new requirements introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023, such as confirming that future activities will be lawful and for the proposed directors and persons of significant control to have their identities verified.

Pursuant to his Department’s press release entitled Reforms to make it easier for overseas companies to move to the UK, published on 25 March 2026, whether companies from all jurisdictions will be eligible to re-domicile to the UK under the proposed reforms.

Under current proposals set out for public consultation, re-domiciliation to the UK will be available to bodies corporate located in a jurisdiction that permits outward re-domiciliation to the UK and which fulfil the following requirements:Meet the definition for a ‘body corporate’ as defined in section 1173(1) of the Companies Act 2006.Intend to carry on business following its re-domiciliation.Are solvent.Not subject to (and its proposed directors, persons with significant control or members are not subject to) asset freezes or director disqualifications sanctions.Provide all the information required to apply to re-domicile to the UK. This includes all the information that someone forming a company in the UK would provide as well as additional information. This includes confirmation that any authorisation or other action required by the departing jurisdiction has been given or will have been given on re-domiciliation and that the body corporate is not prevented from making the application because it is subject to a restriction on applying.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of labour costs on employers’ hiring decisions for entry-level roles.

The Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Act and this is available here: http://www.gov.uk/guidance/employment-rights-bill-impact-assessments. Our analysis, supported by independent modelling and international evidence, deems the overall risk to employment to be low.Evidence to date shows little or no significant impact on employment from past increases to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW).

What assessment he has made of the relationship between minimum wage levels and entry-level job availability for young people.

When setting minimum wage rates, the Government carefully considers the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission (LPC), an internationally respected independent body. The LPC takes into account current labour market conditions, including the youth labour market, when making its recommendations.Accordingly, the increase to the National Minimum Wage rate from April 2026 was more modest than in recent years, and the latest remit issued to the LPC asks the Commissioners to prioritise young people's employment prospects when making recommendations for the April 2027 rates.Evidence to date shows little or no significant impact on employment from past increases to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW).

With reference to his Department’s press release entitled Hundreds of new UK jobs as Nigerian companies confirm millions in investment, published on 17 March 2026, what assessment he has made of the trends in the level of inward investment from Nigeria into the United Kingdom.

As an integral part of the UK's growth objective, the Government is making it simpler and easier for business to make long term investment into the UK, including Nigerian inward investment.DBT routinely publishes official statistics on foreign direct investment in the UK on the GOV.UK website, including the number of jobs involved.

With reference to his Department’s press release entitled Hundreds of new UK jobs as Nigerian companies confirm millions in investment, published on 17 March 2026, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of these investments on opportunities for UK-based workers aged 18–24.

As an integral part of the UK's growth objective, the Government is making it simpler and easier for business to make long term investment into the UK, including Nigerian inward investment.DBT routinely publishes official statistics on foreign direct investment in the UK on the GOV.UK website, including the number of jobs involved.