Written questions by Heylings.

What steps he plans to take to support businesses exporting goods.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is committed to supporting small businesses grow and export. UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises an online support offer and a wider network of support including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, the International Markets network and one-to-one support from International Trade Advisers. DBT is also piloting an enhanced partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, taking a targeted place-based approach to accelerate small business growth through exporting across the region. This will be rolled out to other regions across England over the next 12 months. We will bring forward further measures in due course.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing British exports of (a) e-bikes and (b) pedal cycles.

Growing the economy is a key mission for the Government, and we recognise the importance of boosting UK exports in achieving this. We are working hard to ensure that UK businesses, including those that sell e-bikes and pedal cycles, have the support they need to sell to the world and grow.As part of our work on a new trade strategy and a small business strategy, we are looking at further proposals to help UK businesses, including those that sell e-bikes and pedal cycles, export more.

If he will take steps to help ensure that companies cannot commit fraud by changing their company name.

The Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced new powers that build on the existing controls of company names. These powers will be used in accordance with the Registrar’s new statutory objectives.The Registrars of Companies can now reject a proposed company name where they have reason to believe that a name is intended to facilitate fraud. Companies can be directed to change their name in more circumstances and the Registrar can determine a new name for the company.

Whether his Department has made a recent assessment of the condition of the UK cycling industry.

No formal assessment has been completed; however, the Department has engaged with key industry brands on issues and will continue to do so moving forward. The industry has recently faced significant headwinds, impacting growth and profitability. Despite this, the industry is stabilising with some retailers reporting positive financial performance. There are signs of recovery and potential growth in key high-demand areas such as Road, Gravel, and Electric Mountain Bikes.

What steps his Department is taking to support businesses which export bicycles.

Under the umbrella of the recently announced Business Growth Service, UK businesses can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises an online support offer and a wider network of support including the Export Academy, UK Export Finance, the International Markets network and one-to-one support from International Trade Advisers.This support is available to all UK businesses including those that sell and wish to export bicycles.