Written questions by Martin.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Government's decision to limit tariff-free steel imports on the price of carbon or alloy steel - not produced in the UK - for UK manufacturers.

Awaiting answer.

Under what powers the National Investigation Service was able to seize and forfeit money.

The Accredited Financial Investigators from the National Investigation Service used powers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, including s294 for seizure of cash, s297A for forfeiture of cash and s303Z9 for forfeiture of money held in accounts.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 September 2025 to Question 76468 on National Investigation Service: Audit, if he will publish the report into NATIS conducted by the Public Sector Fraud Authority; and what recommendations did the Public Sector Fraud authority make on the governance of the National Investigation Service.

The Department is not planning to publish the report or recommendations from the Public Sector Fraud Authority’s review of the National Investigation Service at this time. Any future publication will be coordinated with the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury, who oversee the PSFA. Disclosure would risk revealing sensitive operational, policy, and commercial information, which could prejudice law enforcement activities and undermine ongoing policy development and commercial interests. The balance of public interest lies in maintaining the confidentiality of this information to protect the effectiveness of counter-fraud operations and ensure robust policy formulation.

Whether his Department holds a copy of the contract for the National Investigation Service to investigate COVID-19 Bounce Back Loan fraud nationwide of September 2020 that was signed by both the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy and the National Investigation Service.

I confirm that the Department holds a copy of the contract for the National Investigation Service to investigate COVID-19 Bounce Back Loan fraud nationwide of September 2020 that was signed by both the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy and Thurrock Council (being the host of the National Investigation Service).

How many internal meetings his Department held on the National Investigation Service between January 2020 and December 2022.

Regular meetings are a routine way of conducting departmental business. These are not tracked and recorded, so this information is not held in a reportable form by the Department for Business and Trade.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 76154 on Bounce Back Loan Scheme: Fraud, for what reason his Department's contract with the National Investigation Service to investigate Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan fraud was renewed on 1 April 2024.

The contract with Thurrock for the services of the National Investigation Service (NATIS) was renewed under the previous government on 1 April 2024 to continue service delivery.

Pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 75814 on Coronavirus: Fraud, how many cases the National Investigation Service (a) has open and (b) expects to transfer to the Insolvency Service.

Since the commencement of Covid-related investigations, the National Investigation Service has opened 254 criminal cases into alleged Bounce Back Loan fraud, with 131 cases currently ongoing.We remain committed to tackling fraud and are working closely with the National Investigation Service and the Insolvency Service to ensure that cases are managed effectively. The Department for Business and Trade is considering a range of options for the transfer of cases, and further decisions will be made, guided by the latest information and statistics on the current caseload and enforcement activity.

What steps his Department took to undertake due diligence in relation to the National Investigation Service before its funding for that body to enhance counter-fraud work was announced in the Spring Statement 2022.

At the time of the Spring Statement 2022 the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) had commissioned and managed NATIS to undertake potentially fraudulent covid loan investigations.Through the Machinery of Government changes accountability for NATIS passed to DBT in February 2023. Financial, Commercial and Security due diligence was completed by DBT in preparation for the contract that commenced April 2024.

How many audits the Public Sector Fraud Authority has undertaken into the National Investigation Service; what the purpose of these audits was; what methods were used during these audits; what the risks identified during these audits were; and how long each of these audits took.

On 12 October 2023, the Public Sector Fraud Authority were requested to undertake a formal operational review of National Investigation Service, with a primary purpose to focus on performance. The review team included experts from the National Crime Agency, Serious Fraud Office, HM Revenue and Customs, Government Internal Audit Agency, and NHS Counter Fraud Authority.The review report was provided to DBT on 17 November 2023 and made recommendations to prevent future risk of secondments lapsing and appropriate governance.There have been no other formal audits or reviews undertaken by the Public Sector Fraud Authority into National Investigation Service.

How many complaints his Department has received on the National Investigation Service.

The Department for Business and Trade does not maintain a central record of complaints specifically about the National Investigation Service (NATIS).While no formal complaints have been received directly by the Department, NATIS has been the subject of various Parliamentary Questions and Freedom of Information requests, indicating a level of interest.In July 2025, the Department supported a response to a written complaint submitted to the Insolvency Service which included concerns about NATIS.All correspondence is handled in line with established procedures to ensure appropriate and consistent responses.

On what dates the Government renewed the contract for the National Investigation Service to investigate COVID-19 Bounce Back Loan fraud nationwide.

NATIS was commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), subsequently The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in September 2020 to undertake investigations into potentially fraudulent activity by recipients of loans under the Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan Scheme. The contract was renewed effective from 1st April 2024.

On what date his Department was made aware of Mazars' report commissioned by Thurrock Council into the National Investigation Service; and what steps it took in response.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) became aware of the Mazars report commissioned by Thurrock Council into the NATIS in June 2024.The report was independently commissioned by Thurrock Council to review NATIS activity internally. DBT was not consulted or interviewed during its preparation.Although confidential, the recommendations of the report were published in Thurrock Council board meeting quarter 2 2024.In response, DBT requested the report from NATIS, which was provided July 2024. There was one finding directly affecting DBT that had already been addressed ahead of DBT receiving the report.

On what date the National Investigation Service was contracted to investigate COVID-19 Bounce Back Loan fraud nationwide.

NATIS was commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), subsequently The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) in September 2020 to undertake investigations into potentially fraudulent activity by recipients of loans under the Covid-19 Bounce Back Loan Scheme. The contract was renewed effective from 1st April 2024.

How many cases of alleged covid-19 Bounce Back Loan Fraud the National Investigation Service investigated under its contract with the Government; and how many people were arrested because of these investigations but not charged.

The National Investigation Service have investigated 254 Bounce Back Loan Fraud cases in total (including both open and closed cases).There have been 6 arrests resulting in no charge.There have been 56 arrests where the cases are still ongoing, and the suspect has been released pending investigation, a number of these may result in no charge.

How many cases have been transferred from the National Investigation Service under Thurrock Council to the Insolvency Service.

No cases have yet been transferred from the National Investigation Service (NATIS) to the Insolvency Service. The Department for Business and Trade is working closely with both agencies to ensure a smooth and secure transition of ongoing investigations. This careful approach is designed to protect the integrity of the casework and the recovery of public funds lost to Covid-related fraud.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the sale of Royal Mail on the protection of historic post boxes.

Royal Mail is an iconic part of the UK’s infrastructure, and the government has ensured that the takeover has been properly scrutinised. The government has secured a commitment from EP Group, the potential buyers, to ensure that Royal Mail retains control of assets necessary to deliver the universal service obligation and an additional commitment to ensure that Royal Mail continues to use the Royal Cypher in accordance with existing arrangements.Specific operational arrangements and agreements for historic post boxes continue to be a matter for Royal Mail as an independent business.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the proposed sale of Royal Mail on its ability to fulfil its obligations as a universal service provider.

A reliable and affordable universal postal service that works for customers, workers and communities is crucial to the UK businesses that help drive growth across the country. The universal service obligation is a legally binding commitment on the designated universal service provider and its ongoing provision is required irrespective of the ownership of the business.