Written questions by Bedford.

What the total running costs of the office of the Small Business Commissioner was for the last full year in which data is available.

Awaiting answer.

What recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of British Trade Envoys in securing economic growth opportunities for the UK.

The Trade Envoy programme was established in 2012 as a network of parliamentarians to provide international support to the UK Government’s strategy to drive economic growth.DBT Trade Envoys play a valuable role in supporting the UK’s trade and investment ...

How many civil servants in their Department were found to have broken the Civil Service Code in (a) 2024 and (b) 2025.

Civil Servants are appointed on merit on the basis of fair and open competition and are expected to carry out their role with dedication and a commitment to the Civil Service and its core values: integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.We can confirm that the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and UK Export Finance (UKEF) hold the following information:DBTYearNo. Employees broke CS Code202472025<5*UKEFYearNo. Employees broke CS Code202402025<5**5 or less instances have been suppressed to ensure anonymity.

How many departmental employees were on performance management plans in (a) 2023, (b) 2024 and (c) 2025.

Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to thorough performance management and has in place robust processes to ensure that those who fall below the expected standards are supported to improve in a timely manner. Those who cannot improve their performance, despite this additional support, may be dismissed.Following a Machinery of Government Change on 1st July 2023, the Department of International Trade (DIT) became the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), alongside parts of the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). As a result, DBT only holds information from 1st July 2023 onwards, with earlier data held by the former DIT. This response covers information held by DBT and UK Export Finance (UKEF), within these parameters.DBT employees placed on a Performance Management Plan:20 in 2023/24*, 27 in 2024/25, and 22 in 2025/26.*2023 refers to from July 2023 onwards at the start of the performance year. UKEF employees placed on a Performance Management Plan:Between 1 and 5 in 2023/24,Between 1 and 5 in 2024/25, andBetween 1 and 5 in 2025/26.

What was the total value of non-contractual severance payments across the department in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

The total value of severance payments is set out in the department’s Annual Report and Accounts, which are available for the last three years.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the expiry of tariff free quotas under the former UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement on (a) levels of investment in the UK and (b) economic growth.

Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, and the UK-Canada Trade (TCA) Continuity Agreement underpinned £28 billion worth of bilateral trade in 2024. Several of the TCA’s provisions, as negotiated by the previous government, were time limited and expired in 2024 . We continue to work with the Canadian Government to resolve this, including at the WTO and through the new UK-Canada Economic and Trade Working Group.

What discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Defence on the strategic importance of future trade agreements on the African continent.

DBT works closely with all government departments, including the Ministry of Defence, to consider all aspects of our trading relationships with Africa, and our strategic approach fully aligns with our recently published Trade Strategy and Industrial Strategy.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on youth unemployment.

The Employment Rights Bill Impact Assessments were published on October 21 and can be found here. This analysis shows that the Bill is expected to benefit younger workers, typically disproportionately represented in low paid, low quality and insecure jobs.

What plans her Department has to prioritise Canada in future bilateral trade negotiations; and whether this will be reflected in the scope of the UK–Canada trade taskforce.

Canada is a close ally and valued partner of the UK, with trade underpinned by our existing trade agreement worth around £28 billion in 2024.As agreed between our Prime Ministers at the G7, the UK and Canada will establish a new structured Working Group to deepen the bilateral trading relationship further. This includes seeking to address existing market access barriers affecting bilateral UK-Canada trade and expanding existing arrangements.The working group will report back to both Prime Ministers within six months.

Whether the Government plans to appoint a Trade Envoy to Canada.

We remain committed to strengthening our long, positive and wide-ranging trading relationship with Canada, with our trade in bilateral goods and services worth £28bn in 2024. There are no plans at present to appoint a Trade Envoy as the UK already has sophisticated diplomatic, trade and investment networks to support our engagement in Canada, as well as our recent visits by Ministers, including the Prime Minister on 15th June.Markets where there are no Trade Envoys will continue to receive support alongside our other initiatives for exporters and investors, both of which are driving economic growth and creating opportunities at home and abroad.

Whether the expiry of Country of Origin quotas under the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement will be considered by the UK-Canada trade taskforce; and what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Canada on the expiration of Country of Origin quotas.

As agreed between our Prime Ministers, the UK and Canada will establish a new structured Working Group to deepen the bilateral trading relationship further, including by building on existing arrangements and addressing bilateral market access barriers.That will include looking at Rules of Origin arrangements under the Trade Continuity Agreement, and what can be done there to grow trade and make it easier for UK exporters to access the Canadian market.The Business and Trade Secretary had a warm introductory conversation with his Canadian counterpart at the G7, where they agreed to work together on deepening and growing the bilateral trading relationship further.

How many permanent civil servants in his Department had their contract of employment terminated as a result of poor performance in the (a) 2022-23, (b) 2023-24 and (c) 2024-25 financial years.

As the start date of this request (6th April 2022) pre-dates the formation of DBT (7th February 2023), information in scope of this request would include data captured by DBT's predecessor, Department for International Trade (DIT).The number of permanent civil servants who had their contract of employment terminated as a result of poor performance can be found in the table.Financial YearTotal Number2022-2023<52023-2024<52024-2025<5

What steps his Department taken to (a) monitor and (b) ensure the adherence by regulators to the The Growth Duty Performance Framework, last published on 16 May 2024; and how many complaints his Department has received about regulators that have not adhered to this Framework in each year since 2021.

The Growth Duty Performance Framework was introduced by the last government on 16 May 2024, and was launched as a voluntary process for regulators to self-report in relation to how they are delivering economic growth. Being voluntary, there was not a requirement for adherence. The current government set out an extensive Action Plan in March this year, including: a list of key regulator pledges delivering tangible impacts on growth; a strengthened model of accountability and formalised performance reviews; and regulators publishing clear targets for processing authorisations.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Employment Rights Bill on the number of public houses.

On Monday 21 October, the Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Bill [Employment Rights Bill: impact assessments - GOV.UK]. The majority of employees will benefit from new protections in the Bill. However, our assessment finds that workers in the low-paying sectors like hospitality, including public houses, will benefit the most from the Bill. The Bill will also deliver wider benefits for the business environment by improving wellbeing, incentivising higher productivity, and creating a more level playing field for good employers. This could have a positive knock-on impact on productivity and growth.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of US tariffs on the hospitality sector in the UK.

The UK and US have a strong economic relationship which is fair, balanced and reciprocal. We have £1.2 trillion invested in each other’s economies and over 2.5 million jobs across both countries.Hospitality businesses play a key role in the UK economy and we’re prioritising engagement with the US to stand up for industry and find a resolution.We will continue to engage closely and productively with the US to press the case for UK business interests. We will keep all options on the table and won’t hesitate to respond in the national interest.

Whether his Department plans to review the mis-selling of timeshare schemes.

Consumers are already protected from mis-selling by consumer law.Additionally, The Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulations 2010 specifically prevent mis-selling and pressure-selling of timeshares and give consumers protections against unfair contracts.Recognising that tough enforcement is crucial to protecting consumers, the Government has introduced the Digital Market, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. Part 3 of the Act introduces penalties of up to 10% of turnover for breaches of the law and gives the Competition and Markets Authority new powers to take swifter enforcement action without having to go through the courts.

Whether they have made an estimate of the potential impact of abolishing diversity, equity and inclusion roles in their Department on annual staffing costs.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) does not have any roles which focus solely on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Whether his Department is using AI software in responding to written parliamentary questions.

A small proportion of staff in the Department for Business and Trade have access to AI software tools at the moment. These tools may be used to support the drafting process for responding to written parliamentary questions. All responses are reviewed by policy officials to ensure accuracy and consistency with government policy, and are signed off personally by Ministers.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed increase in employer National Insurance contributions on pubs in (a) the United Kingdom, (b) Leicestershire and (c) Mid Leicestershire constituency.

An assessment of the changes to Employers’ National Insurance has been published by HMRC in their Tax Information and Impact Note, including impacts on the exchequer, the economy, individuals, households and families, equalities, and businesses including civil society organisations, alongside details on monitoring and evaluation.The Government is creating a fairer business rate system, reducing alcohol duty on qualifying draught products and transforming the apprenticeship levy to support business and boost opportunities. This work will be supported by the publication of The Small Business Strategy Command Paper which will be published later this year. Through the Hospitality Sector Council, we are addressing strategic issues for the sector related to high street regeneration, skills, sustainability, and productivity.

Whether his Department has had discussions with HM Treasury on the potential merits of re-introducing a 75% retail, hospitality and leisure relief rate.

Without any Government intervention, Retail, Hospitality and Leisure (RHL) relief would have ended in April, creating a cliff-edge for businesses. We are providing support for retail, hospitality and leisure properties in the interim period leading up to the new permanent multiplier by providing 40% relief to RHL businesses on their business rates in 2025-26, up to a cash cap of £110,000 per business.  This is protecting the smallest properties by freezing the small business multiplier in 2025-26 and protecting over a million properties from inflationary bill increases.  We continue to work closely with HM Treasury on the challenges facing high streets and other businesses.