Written questions by Holden.

Whether the Competition and Markets Authority has investigated the pricing practices of UK airports for vehicle drop-off charges.

Awaiting answer.

What estimate he has made of the average annual cost to businesses of transitioning from small to medium-sized company status due to accounting changes under FRS 102; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of those costs on SMEs.

Awaiting answer.

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of enforcement powers available to Trading Standards authorities at county level to take action against premises engaged in persistent breaches of consumer protection and trading laws; whether he has considered devolving powers to county-level Trading Standards authorities to enable them to apply for the closure of premises in cases of serious or repeat offending; and what discussions he has had with the (a) Home Office and (b) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on aligning enforcement powers between licensing authorities, the police, and county-level enforcement bodies.

Local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales are responsible for delivering trading standards services, aiming to ensure fair trading and safeguard both consumers and reputable businesses. Trading standards services operate independently from central government and enforce a wide range of laws, tailored to local needs.Where issues impact on a wider group of consumers or businesses, or the detriment is particularly high, other regulators have power to take action. For instance, National Trading Standards plays a role in delivery of broader national and regional enforcement issues, supported by local trading standards services.We keep this system under review, and the Department for Business and Trade is reviewing the current duties of Trading Standards to ensure that consumers remain protected from harm. My department is working with the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and other Whitehall Departments in this work.The Business Secretary and the Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister recently wrote jointly to Cabinet colleagues to ask them to set out what further action they plan to take in this Parliament to address consumer harms in their areas, including on toughening enforcement actions against conduct and businesses that do the most harm to the community.We will report back on this work in due course.

When the planned Supply Chain Centre will become operational; what its initial remit will be; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of that centre on mitigating domestic supply chain vulnerabilities.

The government announced its intention to set up a Supply Chain Centre as part of the Trade and Industrial Strategies. The Centre is already operational, with its formal launch expected to take place later in the year. The Centre’s remit will be to lead work across government, working with business, to strengthen the resilience of supply chains critical to UK security and prosperity, including those linked to the Industrial Strategy, through data‑driven reviews. The Centre will take a more strategic, assertive and data‑led approach to identifying vulnerabilities and improving readiness for potential disruptions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 March 2026 to Question 116229 on Department for Business and Trade: Carbon Emissions and Sustainable Development, on what date did his Department (a) allocate funding to Mott MacDonald to review the Dominican Republic’s state-owned energy company's and (b) receive a copy of the review's findings.

In 2024, the UK signed a Government-to-Government Arrangement with the Dominican Republic to help deliver infrastructure projects that promote mutual economic growth. My department awarded Mott MacDonald a contract to review the Dominican Republic's state-owned energy company's, Empresa de Generación Hidroeléctrica Dominicana, national energy masterplan. This provided recommendations to prioritise renewable energy projects aligned with national targets and opportunities for UK supply chain involvement. The funding was allocated to Mott MacDonald on 31 January 2025 and we received a copy of the review's findings on 31 March 2025.

How many times the Aerospace Growth Partnership has met since 4 July 2024; and whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential economic merits of the Aerospace Growth Partnership .

Since 4 July 2024 the Aerospace Growth Partnership Board has met 12 times. Through our Industrial Strategy, government has committed to supporting the sector to increase its share of the global market from 10% to 15% and secure at least £35billion of additional private investment to industrialise technologies by 2050. The Aerospace Growth Partnership is a unique forum that helps bring together all parts of the UK's aerospace ecosystem with a common goal of delivering growth in the UK.

Which companies the Department is aware are exporting dual-use components from the United Kingdom to the Russian Federation; what dual-use components are being exported to the Russian Federation; and what representations have been received from (a) Ukraine and (b) NATO member states to HM Government on those exports.

The comprehensive sanctions put in place by HMG under the Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 following Russia's illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine mean that UK companies have been banned from exporting military or dual-use goods to Russia since February 2022. Any companies doing so would be subject to criminal penalties unless the goods are expressly exempted under Part 7 of the Regulations. Any representations from the Government of Ukraine, or NATO allies are the province of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.

Pursuant to the Answer of 18 March 2026 to Question 120645 on Competition and Markets Authority: Costs, whether the Competition and Markets Authority holds internal management information on the resource or cost associated with its Sustainability Taskforce.

The Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) holds internal management information on the resource and costs associated with its Sustainability Taskforce since its establishment:FYStaff CostsNon-Staff CostsTotal CostFull-Time Equivalent2023-24£418,715.01£3,335.36£422,050.375.42024-25£342,306.01£677.18£342,983.193.9Non-staff costs cover other programme expenditure such as travel and subsistence. The CMA is not able to provide an estimated annual cost for the Sustainability Taskforce for 2025/26 before its accounts for the financial year are finalised.

Pursuant to the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 120045 on British Business Bank, what the total monetary value is of support provided to funds, schemes and portfolio companies described as relating to (a) net zero, (b) decarbonisation, (c) sustainability, (d) climate transition and (e) the green economy in (i) 2024–25 and (ii) 2025–26 financial years; and if he will provide a breakdown by (A) programme and scheme, including but not limited to the Growth Guarantee Scheme, Start Up Loans, and the Green Growth Guarantee Scheme the (B) type of support, including direct investment, guarantees and co-investment and (C) the number of recipient businesses and funds supported under each category.

The British Business Bank does not centrally classify funds, schemes or portfolio companies under the categories of net zero, decarbonisation, sustainability, climate transition or the green economy in the form requested.The Bank’s approach is to embed support for the transition to net zero and sustainable growth across its full range of programmes, rather than through standalone business lines. As such, these objectives are reflected across its activities, including through direct co-investment, investment in venture and growth capital funds, and lending delivered through programmes such as Start Up Loans and the Growth Guarantee Scheme.As set out in the Answer of 17 March 2026 to Question 120045, the Bank has in both 2024-25 and 2025-26 invested in, capitalised, and supported through guarantees or co-investment a number of funds, schemes and portfolio companies with these characteristics.As these activities are embedded across programmes, a comprehensive breakdown of total monetary value by category, programme or scheme, type of support, and number of recipient businesses and funds is not held in a single reportable format.

Pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2026 to Question 112685, whether the British Business Bank has (a) invested in, (b) capitalised, or (c) supported through guarantees or co-investment any funds, schemes, or portfolio companies that have been designated, marketed or described as relating to net zero, decarbonisation, sustainability, climate transition or the green economy in (i) 2024-25 and (ii) 2025-26.

Yes. In each of these years, the British Business Bank has invested in, capitalised, and supported through guarantees or co-investment several funds, schemes and portfolio companies with the specified characteristics. This includes direct co-investment, investment in venture and growth capital funds, and lending delivered through the Bank’s programmes including Start Up Loans and the Growth Guarantee Scheme. A pilot Green Growth Guarantee Scheme is underway, whose goal is to increase the supply of affordable finance for businesses investing in green technologies.

Whether officials in his Department are permitted to use Government Car Service cars.

The Government Car Service provides transport for Ministers and occasionally officials undertaking official duties. Its use is governed by the Ministerial Code and departmental travel policies to ensure journeys are necessary and represent value for money.

How many full-time equivalent staff were assigned to the Competition and Markets Authority’s Sustainability Taskforce in (a) 2024–25, (b) 2025-26 and (c) 2026-27.

The number of full-time equivalent (“FTE”) staff assigned to the Competition and Markets Authority’s Sustainability Taskforce was 3.9 FTE in 2024-25 and 3.5 FTE in 2025-26. Data is not yet available for financial year 2026-27.

Pursuant to the answer of 27 January 2026 to Question 106607, if he will (a) publish the value of external consultancy and advisory contracts used by his Department in 2024-25 in relation to Net Zero, sustainability and decarbonisation policy and (b) list suppliers receiving more than £100,000.

My department is committed to supporting Net Zero goals and advancing Clean Energy initiatives. In 2024, the UK signed a Government-to-Government Arrangement with the Dominican Republic to help deliver infrastructure projects that promote mutual economic growth. My department allocated £130,750 from the Infrastructure Partnership Programme Fund and awarded Mott MacDonald a 2024 contract to review the Dominican Republic’s state-owned energy company's, Empresa de Generación Hidroeléctrica Dominicana, national energy masterplan. This project provided recommendations to prioritise renewable energy projects aligned with national targets and opportunities for UK supply chain involvement.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111867, whether he will make an assessment of the level of compliance by the Insolvency Service with Net Zero, sustainability and climate related disclosure requirements, including adherence to the Taskforce on Climate related Financial Disclosures guidance and the Greening Government Commitments.

The Insolvency Service’s Annual Report and Accounts have included Greening Government Commitments disclosures since 2012 and, more recently the Taskforce on Climate related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). These are requirements are set out in HMT’s Financial Reporting Manual. The Annual Report and Accounts are also subject to external audit by National Audit Office, whose work includes an assessment of compliance with TCFD and Greening disclosures.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2026 to Question 108797, what the estimated costs were of proposals, programmes or initiatives aimed at reducing official travel emissions in a) 2024–25 and b) 2025-26.

The Department has no programmes aimed specifically at reducing official travel emissions and therefore has incurred no costs of proposals, programmes or initiatives aimed at reducing official travel emissions.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2026 to Question 108798, whether any British Business Bank programmes or business lines have been discussed, designated or promoted as relating to net zero, decarbonisation, sustainability or the green economy; and what the budgets for those programmes or business lines were in a) 2024–25, and b) 2025-26.

The only British Business Bank programme that relates specifically to the green economy is the green variant of the Growth Guarantee Scheme. This was announced on 11 February 2025 with an initial £30 million portfolio. This pilot programme is funded from the Growth Guarantee Scheme budget and does not represent additional expenditure.The Bank does not operate any standalone programmes or business lines designated or promoted as relating to net zero, decarbonisation, sustainability or the green economy. The Bank considers sustainability and decarbonisation as cross-cutting themes across its activities and there were no separate budgets allocated to such themes in either of the years mentioned.

Whether any arm’s-length bodies sponsored by his Department incurred additional costs as a result of Net Zero or sustainability requirements applied to procurement contracts over £10,000 in 2024-25.

Arm's-length bodies sponsored by the Department have not incurred additional costs as a result of Net Zero or sustainability requirements applied to procurement contracts over £10,000 in 2024-25.

Pursuant to the Answer of 2 February 2026 to Question 108800, what projects undertaken by the Competition and Markets Authority in 2024–25 related to net zero, sustainability and climate policy.

The following projects undertaken by the Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) in 2024 to 2025 related to net zero, sustainability and climate policy, carried out consistently with its statutory duty and functions: Sustainability Taskforce – supporting businesses to comply with competition law when engaging in collaboration to achieve outcomes related to sustainability. An investigation into anti-competitive conduct in the advertising of recycling-related features of new cars, and in the recycling of old or written-off (or ‘end-of-life’) cars and vans. Guidance to help fashion businesses comply with consumer protection law when making environmental claims. An investigation into environmental claims made about products in the consumer goods sector. An investigation into Worcester Bosch over concerns it may have been misleading consumers in its marketing of boilers as ‘hydrogen-blend ready’. Other work has included a review and report on the impact of restrictions on the sale of single use plastics on the UK Internal Market, and 13 reports on referrals of subsidies under the UK Subsidy Control Regime.

What the cost to UK Export Finance was of mitigating operational emissions arising from (a) its office footprint and b) business travel in 2024-25.

UKEF’s office footprint is managed by the Government Property Agency, which is responsible for the provision of all energy and utility services. UKEF mitigates operational emissions arising from business travel through policies to reduce the cost of business travel; these measures do not place additional costs on UKEF.Full details regarding expenditure on UKEF’s office footprint and business travel for 2024-25 can be found in the UK Export Finance Annual Report and Accounts 2024 to 2025 - GOV.UK.

Pursuant to the Answer of 30 January 2026 to Question 107769, what estimate he has made to the Insolvency Service of compliance with Net Zero, sustainability and climate-related disclosure requirements.

I have made no such assessment, however the Insolvency Service’s total emissions have been reported in the Agency’s Annual Report and Accounts since 2012/13. Progress on wider sustainability requirements is reported quarterly to the Department for Business and Trade through the Agency’s Greening Government Commitment (GGC) returns. The Agency adheres to the Greening Government Commitments and the Taskforce on Climate Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) guidance.