Written questions by Reynolds.

Whether he has undertaken consultation with (a) business organisations and (b) export-focused SMEs on workforce reductions in export support services.

We are changing how we deliver export support in line with the Trade Strategy, and in response to the asks of businesses and our stakeholders, to provide a more accessible and easier to navigate offer that utilises technology to deliver more cost-effective and impactful support for SME exporters. For the first time, DBT has integrated its support for SMEs in a single place – the Business Growth Service – making government support for SME exporters more accessible and effective. We will focus our resources where they can have the greatest impact, supporting businesses with the highest growth potential and targeting markets with significant economic opportunity. This strategic approach will deliver better value for taxpayers and stronger results for UK exporters. In addition, we expect UKEF to play a more substantial role in supporting SMEs to export.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of export support service workforce reductions on small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to export.

We are changing how we deliver export support in line with the Trade Strategy, and in response to the asks of businesses and our stakeholders, to provide a more accessible and easier to navigate offer that utilises technology to deliver more cost-effective and impactful support for SME exporters. For the first time, DBT has integrated its support for SMEs in a single place – the Business Growth Service – making government support for SME exporters more accessible and effective. We will focus our resources where they can have the greatest impact, supporting businesses with the highest growth potential and targeting markets with significant economic opportunity. This strategic approach will deliver better value for taxpayers and stronger results for UK exporters. In addition, we expect UKEF to play a more substantial role in supporting SMEs to export.

What steps he is taking to ensure continuity of export support services during workforce reductions.

We are changing how we deliver export support in line with the Trade Strategy, and in response to the asks of businesses and our stakeholders, to provide a more accessible and easier to navigate offer that utilises technology to deliver more cost-effective and impactful support for SME exporters. For the first time, DBT has integrated its support for SMEs in a single place – the Business Growth Service – making government support for SME exporters more accessible and effective. We will focus our resources where they can have the greatest impact, supporting businesses with the highest growth potential and targeting markets with significant economic opportunity. This strategic approach will deliver better value for taxpayers and stronger results for UK exporters. In addition, we expect UKEF to play a more substantial role in supporting SMEs to export.

What estimate has been made of the total savings to be achieved through workforce reductions in export support services.

The transformation of the department is ongoing and it is not yet possible to determine how many staff might be redeployed or may leave the department. Therefore, it is not yet possible to determine total savings that will be achieved.

How much funding his Department has allocated for AI and digital technology to replace staff removed from export support services.

DBT is making use of AI tools to improve our services to business, but we are not replacing staff with AI and digital technology.

How much funding has been allocated for redundancy packages related to workforce reductions in export support services.

A programme of transformation for the Department for Business and Trade’s export services is ongoing and will entail workforce changes. It is not yet possible to determine a level of redundancies that might result from that process. Any related funding needs will be addressed within the course of business planning.

Over what time period workforce reductions in export support services will take place.

The Department for Business and Trade’s new export structures in the UK are expected to be in place from 1 April, however the workforce reductions in teams involved in export work across the UK and overseas will be ongoing over the course of 2026.

What methods will be used to reduce staffing levels in export support services; and whether these will include (a) redundancy, (b) voluntary redundancy, (c) redeployment to other departments, and (d) non-replacement of retiring staff.

All staff in the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) were able to apply for a voluntary exit scheme, before the announcement of workforce reductions. Staff impacted in export support services and in other areas of DBT may be offered redundancy, voluntary redundancy and redeployment opportunities in line with the rest of the department.

Whether his Department has plans to make an assessment of the adequacy of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 for tackling the cumulative impact of repeated private firework use from a single residential property within the permitted hours over consecutive nights; and if he will publish guidance on provisions to limit the (a) duration and (b) frequency of such use.

Currently, no assessment of the adequacy of the Fireworks Regulations 2004 has been made in relation to repeated private firework use.Existing legislation controls the sale, availability, and use of fireworks. Local Authorities and law enforcement agencies are empowered to take action against offenders when fireworks are not used appropriately. While there are no plans to publish guidance to limit their use further, the Government launched a campaign for this fireworks season which promotes lower noise fireworks alongside considerate use.

What estimate he has made of the UK's potential financial exposure to Investor-State Dispute Settlement claims.

Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for investors to resolve disputes with states where they believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory, or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. The Government is a respondent in two active arbitrations. The UK has a longstanding track record of supporting foreign investment, including through fulfilling its obligations in the international investment agreements to which it is a party and has never faced a successful ISDS claim. The Government maintains that it has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations in the case of the legal challenges. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.

What his policy is on including Investor-State Dispute Settlement provisions in trade agreements under negotiation; and whether such provisions are being proposed in negotiations with (a) India and (b) the United States.

The UK will draw on the full range of investment commitments and international best practice in our international investment agreements to promote growth, deliver our clean energy goals, and continue to uphold the UK’s right to regulate. Negotiations for the UK-India bilateral investment treaty have not yet concluded, and the content of the agreement remains under discussion. As set out in the General Terms for the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal, the UK and the US have announced the intention to cooperate on the effective use of investment security measures.

How many Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) cases are active against the UK; and what the total value of claims is in those cases.

Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) provides an independent means for investors to resolve disputes with states where they believe they have experienced arbitrary, discriminatory, or unfair treatment or expropriation without compensation. The Government is a respondent in two active arbitrations. The UK has a longstanding track record of supporting foreign investment, including through fulfilling its obligations in the international investment agreements to which it is a party and has never faced a successful ISDS claim. The Government maintains that it has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations in the case of the legal challenges. In view of the ongoing proceedings, it would be inappropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential implications of China's restrictions on rare earth exports for trade policy; and what steps he is taking to diversify critical minerals import sources.

We are aware of China's changes to its export controls on rare earth elements. We are concerned about the potential impact of these measures on global supply chains. We are engaging with China’s Bureau of Industry, Security, Import and Export Control to support UK companies applying for licenses and ensure steady supply to UK users.We are taking action with like-minded partners, including in the G7, to diversify supply chains. Our upcoming Critical Minerals Strategy sets our long-term approach for securing critical minerals. It also outlines how this will be achieved by refining our approach to domestic production, the circular economy, the UK’s future demand, international partnerships and responsible and transparent supply chains.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal on (a) manufacturing jobs, (b) consumer prices, (c) business competitiveness and (d) costs to businesses.

In May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US. The UK was the first country to secure such an agreement that removes tariffs for civil aerospace goods, and we remain the only country to have secured a 10% tariff for automotives within quota – saving hundreds of millions of pounds on UK exports annually. In 2024, the UK aerospace and automotive industries directly accounted for 232,000 jobs.We are continuing talks on a wider UK-US Economic Deal to address specific tariff and non-tariff barriers, increase digital trade, and unlock new commercial opportunities that benefit both nations.The Prime Minister, Business Secretary, Ministers and officials across government have been engaging widely with business organisations and companies across the economy. We will continue our extensive engagement throughout the remaining negotiations.

What steps his Department is taking to help support small and medium-sized enterprises to prepare for new market access arising from free trade agreement negotiations with Turkey; and with how many businesses his Department has held discussions on these negotiations.

It is too soon to presume on the final outcomes of FTA negotiations with Türkiye but we have held two successful rounds of negotiations during which amongst other things both sides committed to a Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) chapter.During our Call for Input we received substantial interest, including over 130 submissions from businesses and over 200 responses in total. We continue to actively engage businesses and stakeholders throughout negotiations.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure compliance with statutory maximum payment terms for suppliers.

This Government is committed to tackling late payments and supporting small businesses and the self-employed.We launched a consultation in July alongside the Plan for Small Business which closes on the 23rd of October which sets out measures we intend to bring forward in a package of primary legislation. This includes proposals for stricter maximum payment terms and providing the Small Business Commissioner with stronger powers. This will be the most significant legislation to tackle late payments in over 25 years and will give the UK the strongest legal framework on late payments in the G7.

Whether he plans to provide the Small Business Commissioner with additional powers to help tackle persistent late payment by large firms.

This Government is committed to tackling late payments and supporting small businesses and the self-employed.We launched a consultation in July alongside the Plan for Small Business which closes on the 23rd of October which sets out measures we intend to bring forward in a package of primary legislation. As part the package, the Small Business Commissioner will be given stronger powers to ensure that they are able to tackle the poor payment practices head on. The consultation includes additional measures such as setting maximum payment terms and fining businesses that persistently pay their suppliers late.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of late payment reform on cash flow for small and medium-sized enterprises.

This Government is determined to tackle late payments. On 31st July, alongside the Plan for Small Business, we launched a public consultation to seek views on our proposed legislative measures to ensure companies pay their suppliers quickly and on time. These measures include proposals to set strict maximum payment times at 60 days and to provide the Small Business Commissioner with stronger powers to tackle poor payment practices. As part of the launch of the consultation an impact assessment was published on GOV.UK assessing the impact these measures will have on all businesses across the UK.

What steps his Department is taking to monitor the effectiveness of late payment reforms.

This Government is committed to tackling late payments and will introduce the most significant legislation aimed at tackling late payments in 25 years. Late payments cost the UK economy £11bn per year and close down 38 UK businesses every day.Large businesses are already legally required to publish their payment performance twice yearly through GOV.UK. Analysts at the Department for Business and Trade will be able to determine the effectiveness of these measures through using the data that large businesses submit to check that payment times have improved.

What assessment the Government has made of the potential impact of large businesses repaying SME invoices 60 or 90 days after receipt of the invoice on levels of interruption to SME cashflow.

On 31st July DBT published new research showing that late payments cost the UK economy £11bn per year and closes down 38 UK businesses every day, with a disproportionate impact upon small businesses.Government is putting in place the most significant legislation to tackle late payments in over 25 years, giving the UK the strongest legal framework on late payments in the G7. The consultation on stronger new legislative measures to ensure small businesses are paid promptly closes on 23 October.