Written questions by Reynolds.

When the Canada-UK Economic Working Group last met, and whether he plans to publish a timeline for its future meetings.

Awaiting answer.

Whether his Department keeps a formal record or minutes of the monthly financial monitoring meetings held between his Department, UK Government Investments and Post Office Limited to review funding requests relating to the franchising of formerly Directly Managed Branches.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of Chinese state export subsidies, including the export VAT rebate applied to zero-emission vehicles, on the competitiveness of UK bus manufacturers.

DBT keeps the impact of overseas state support for zero emissions vehicles under close review and engages regularly with UK manufacturers to understand effects on competitiveness. While reports include mechanisms such as export VAT rebates, only the independent Trade Remedies Authority can formally investigate whether such measures constitute countervailable subsidies and have caused injury to UK industry, based on evidence from producers. DBT will continue to monitor the position closely.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that publicly funded electric bus procurement schemes support domestic manufacturing supply chains.

DBT works closely with DfT, the Cabinet Office and Crown Commercial Service to ensure publicly funded electric bus procurement supports UK manufacturing where possible, within procurement and trade rules. This includes through setting up the DfT UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel, the recent publication of a zero emission bus order pipeline and promoting stronger, more consistent use of social value to reflect UK jobs, skills and supply chain resilience.

What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the Groceries Code Adjudicator's existing confidentiality protections in encouraging smaller and harder-to-reach suppliers to report concerns about potential code breaches.

The Government's Statutory Review of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) 2022-2025 published on 14 April 2026. The Statutory Review invites the operationally independent GCA to consider recommendations about its existing confidentiality protections, transparency of enforcement activity and the potential publication of practical Code examples.On 7 April 2026 the Government announced that responsibility for the GCA would move from the Department for Business and Trade to Defra to strengthen fairness across the UK's grocery supply chain, streamline oversight of the supply chain and to strengthen links to the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA).

What steps the Government is taking to ensure coordination between the Groceries Code Adjudicator and the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator to provide a coherent regulatory framework for the food supply chain.

The Government's Statutory Review of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) 2022-2025 published on 14 April 2026. The Statutory Review invites the operationally independent GCA to consider recommendations about its existing confidentiality protections, transparency of enforcement activity and the potential publication of practical Code examples.On 7 April 2026 the Government announced that responsibility for the GCA would move from the Department for Business and Trade to Defra to strengthen fairness across the UK's grocery supply chain, streamline oversight of the supply chain and to strengthen links to the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA).

Whether he has had discussions with the Groceries Code Adjudicator on (a) improving the transparency of its enforcement activity and (b) the potential merits of publishing practical examples of how the Code is applied.

The Government's Statutory Review of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) 2022-2025 published on 14 April 2026. The Statutory Review invites the operationally independent GCA to consider recommendations about its existing confidentiality protections, transparency of enforcement activity and the potential publication of practical Code examples.On 7 April 2026 the Government announced that responsibility for the GCA would move from the Department for Business and Trade to Defra to strengthen fairness across the UK's grocery supply chain, streamline oversight of the supply chain and to strengthen links to the Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA).

What consideration he has made of the potential merits of the UK participating in the European Commission's proposed Skills Portability Initiative.

The Skills Portability Initiative is an EU proposal which aims to improve worker mobility, both skilled and unskilled, within the single market. It includes a possible legislative proposal that could encourage simplified procedures for the recognition of professional qualifications (RPQ) across Member States for non-EU nationals.In line with our manifesto, the Government is committed to improving routes for UK professionals to practise and provide services in the EU. The Government has communicated support to the European Commission for modernised and transparent recognition processes through this initiative, which could benefit UK businesses, professionals and boost economic growth.

What the value of exports facilitated by his Department was in each of the last five financial years by destination country.

The Department supported businesses to deliver export wins worth £16.9bn in 2020/21, £17.3bn in 2021/22, and £19.6bn in 2022/23. In 2023/24 over £36bn and almost £24bn in 2024/25 export wins were delivered.The Department does not provide country-specific wins due to the risk of disclosing commercially sensitive deals.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential (a) implications for his Department's policies and (b) investment in UK digital infrastructure of recent survey evidence on barriers to competition in the UK cloud market.

There are currently no plans to undertake such an assessment. The Competition and Markets Authority’s cloud services market investigation examined the state of competition in the market. The Government remains committed to supporting investment in high‑quality, secure and resilient digital infrastructure across the UK.

What progress trade envoys have made in reducing non-tariff barriers to trade for businesses in their designated markets.

UK Trade Envoys primarily support UK exports in their respective market, but they also help identify tariff and non-tariff barriers that impede trade.

Whether his Department uses a criteria to assess the reputational implications for the United Kingdom of appointing a trade envoy to a country with a poor human rights record.

UK Trade Envoy markets are identified in discussion with HM Trade Commissioners and the trade and investment opportunities available to UK business. Trade Envoys operate within wider trading policies in support of the Government’s objectives, working closely with Ministers and officials, including the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

What recent assessment he has made of the value delivered to small and medium-sized businesses by the trade envoy programme compared with support available through UK Export Finance and his own Department's direct export services.

This is an impossible question to answer as the whole point of the UK Trade Envoy Programme is that it complements the work of UKEF and DBT’s direct export services in supporting SMEs. Trade Envoys provide high-level advocacy and market access, UKEF delivers financial backing, and DBT offers practical export guidance. Together, these initiatives form a comprehensive package to help SMEs succeed internationally.

What is the total cost to the public purse of the trade envoy programme; and whether a trade envoy has been removed for failing to meet performance benchmarks.

Over the last three years, the Department has spent, on average, the following amounts on the UK Trade Envoy Programme, including DBT staff costs. We intend the overall cost of the programme to reduce during the next financial year.2023/20242024/20252025/2026£1,043,805£862,369*£988,620* The figure in column two is lower than other years because the election resulted in the programme being paused for several months.UK Trade Envoys must adhere to the seven principles of public life as set out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life and can be removed should they not meet such standards.

What steps he is taking to improve transparency and public accountability of the trade envoy programme, including the publication of outcomes achieved and costs incurred.

The Trade Envoy Programme is a network of Parliamentarians appointed to specific markets by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. Membership of the programme is cross party and includes representation from both the House of Commons and House of Lords. The programme abides by all transparency and public accountability rules.

Whether he has made an assessment of (a) the prevalence of unfair trading practices in the UK clothing supply chain and (b) the potential merits of establishing a Garment Trading Adjudicator to provide redress for affected suppliers.

The government expects all UK businesses to respect human rights and the environment throughout their supply chains in line with the OECD Guidelines and UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Section 54 of the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires businesses with a turnover of £36m or more to publish modern slavery statements.The Office for Responsible Business Conduct promotes the OECD Guidelines and provides a non-judicial grievance mechanism for complaints of non-observance by UK businesses. The government also launched a review, through the Trade Strategy, into the UK’s approach to responsible business conduct (RBC), focused on tackling human rights and labour abuses and environmental harms in global supply chains. While concerns have been raised about unfair practices, there are currently no plans to introduce a Garment Trading Adjudicator, however other measures are under consideration as part of the RBC review. We shall update the House when the review is complete.

How many directors with responsibility for human resources are employed in his Department and its executive agencies; and how many of those directors hold professional HR qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development or equivalent professional bodies.

It is not appropriate to publish individual-level personal data in a Parliamentary Question response.

How much and what proportion of the working capital funding provided to British Steel has been allocated to (a) raw materials, (b) salaries and (c) other operational costs.

From 12 April 2025, the date HMG passed the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act, to 24 February 2026, DBT has provided approximately £370 million to BSL, to ensure sufficient working capital is maintained for the safe and effective operation of the Scunthorpe site. Of the £370 million working capital allocated to BSL, £57 million (15%) was used for payroll costs, £104 million (28%) for other operational expenses, and £209 million (57%) for raw material purchases.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism on British Steel's export competitiveness during the period of special measures.

HMG regularly engages British Steel and wider industry to understand the impact of the EU CBAM. UK businesses may face administrative costs providing emissions data to EU importers to support their compliance with the EU CBAM. The cost of certificates for the carbon price liability of embedded emissions is borne by EU importers.To support business readiness, the Department for Business and Trade has compiled a comprehensive package, including webinars and an explainer on business.gov.uk. The Government is also engaging with the European Commission on emissions trading scheme linking, which is expected to facilitate a mutual UK-EU CBAM exemption in due course.

What consultation his Department has undertaken with steel industry stakeholders on the development of a UK steel sector strategy.

This government reconvened the Steel Council in January 2025 to assist us in the development of the steel strategy. The Council has met five times and members include senior leaders from our main steel producers, trade associations, trade unions, academia and representatives from Devolved Governments.Wider steel stakeholders, including downstream processors and stockholders, have been able to contribute to the steel strategy through a series of three Ministerial Roundtables that took place in March and April 2025, and through our public consultation, which was open from February - March 2025. My officials continue to engage extensively with individual stakeholders on specific policy areas under the strategy.