Written questions by Hall.

What steps his Department is taking to help ensure that workers in the tech and creative sectors are able to organise and participate in trade union activity.

The Government believes that strong trade unions are essential for tackling insecurity, inequality, discrimination and low pay.Through the Employment Rights Act 2025, we are simplifying the statutory union recognition process, establishing a formal right of access for unions to enter the workplaces, introducing a new duty on employers to inform workers of their right to join a trade union, simplifying industrial action notices, and strengthening protection from backlisting.These reforms will make it easier for trade unions to recruit and organise in all sectors of the economy, including the tech and creative sectors.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that employment law protects workers engaged in collective bargaining or union recognition processes from redundancy or dismissal.

It is unlawful for an employer to dismiss a worker for being a member of a trade union and for dismissing or imposing detriments on a worker for engaging in trade union activity, including activity related to the trade union recognition process.Previously it was only workers who were classed as employees who were protected from dismissal for industrial action. To ensure all workers are protected, this government has introduced new protection from detriments in s. 236A in the Employment Rights Act, which means other ("limb (b)") workers are now also protected from dismissal for taking industrial action.

What steps his Department is taking to increase uptake of statutory paternity leave and pay.

This Government is committed to strengthening rights for working parents. From April, Paternity Leave will become a day‑one right, removing qualifying periods that currently prevent 32,000 fathers a year from accessing it.We also know that more can be done to support working parents. The ongoing Parental Leave and Pay Review is examining all parental leave entitlements, including Paternity Leave and Pay.

What recent assessment he has made of the cumulative impact of property taxes, staffing costs, food and drink inflation and energy prices on the financial sustainability of hospitality businesses.

The Government recognises the significant pressures facing the hospitality sector and the Government is providing support through various measures to help ease these pressures.We aim to permanently reduce business rates for RHL properties with a rateable value of less than 500,000 and we have announced a new Zero Carbon Services Hospitality trial which aims for Pubs, cafes, restaurants and hotels to receive free energy and carbon cutting advice to slash their energy bills as part of the government’s Plan for Change.Additionally, the Employment Allowance has been increased to £10,500, meaning 865,000 employers will pay no National Insurance Contributions enabling businesses to employ up to four full-time staff on the National Living Wage without incurring employer NIC costs.The Department will continue to engage with the sector, including through the Hospitality Sector Council with an aim to co-create solutions to the issues impacting the sector.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the government endorsed Trustmark scheme protects consumers from rogue traders.

This Government is working to ensure we have a high-quality and professional construction industry, with consumer protection at its heart. We work closely with TrustMark, which is sponsored by the Department and licenced by the Government, as the Government Endorsed Quality Scheme that covers work a consumer chooses to have carried out in or around their home. The Government is supporting TrustMark to continue to further its ability to improve the quality of the information it has and to identify firms and individuals that pose a risk to consumers.

What steps his Department is taking to tackle rogue traders and protect consumers.

Consumer legislation sets out protections for consumers. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 strengthens consumer law enforcement by giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) new administrative powers, and the CMA and courts the ability to impose significant monetary penalties of up to 10% of turnover. DBT provides additional funding through the National Trading Standards Board and Trading Standards Scotland to prioritise and coordinate national and regional consumer enforcement in England, Wales and Scotland respectively. DBT also funds Citizens Advice to provide the consumer service which supports consumers to assert their rights. Citizens Advice also run an annual Scams Awareness campaign.

Whether his Department considered including policies on the aluminium sector within the Industrial Strategy, CP 1337, published on 23 June 2025.

I refer the Member of Parliament for Warrington to the answer I provided to UIN 72881 on 17th September, which was in response to a similar question she previously tabled: “To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, for what reason the aluminium sector was not included in the Industrial Strategy.”

What steps his Department is taking to help support the aluminium industry in the context of (a) US tariffs and (b) global competition.

Thanks to the strength of the UK-US partnership, the UK remains the only country to benefit from a preferential 25% tariff on steel and aluminium exports to the US, avoiding the global rate of 50%. The UK is therefore uniquely positioned as the only country to have secured this commitment, giving our companies a 25% competitive advantage over global competitors.After US global tariffs were introduced in May, the Business Secretary instructed the Trade Remedies Authority to work with the aluminium industry to gather and assess evidence for possible trade protection measures.

What steps his Department is taking to help support the aluminium industry through its negotiations on free trade agreements.

We have taken decisive action to support the UK aluminium industry through recent trade agreements that reduce barriers and enhance market access by removing tariffs.Additionally, thanks to the strength of the UK-US partnership, the UK remains the only country to benefit from a 25% tariff on steel and aluminium exports to the US, avoiding the global rate of 50%. The UK is the only country to have secured this commitment, giving our companies a competitive advantage.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of regulations on the (a) sale and (b) use of fireworks; and whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to strengthen those regulations.

No assessment has been made of the effectiveness of regulations on the (a) sale and (b) use of fireworks. The Government continues to engage with various stakeholders about fireworks regulation and the impact of fireworks. I have met with a wide range of stakeholders, including charities such as Combat Stress and the RSPCA, other MPs, representatives from fireworks retailers including major supermarkets, convenience stores, and trade associations as well as Trading Standards.I am carefully considering all the feedback received.

What steps he is taking to help protect the aluminium industry from (a) US tariffs and (b) geopolitical competition.

We have taken decisive action to support the UK aluminium industry through recent trade agreements that reduce barriers and enhance market access. For example, in May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, which included an agreement to remove the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium - restoring rates to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) levels. We continue to work closely with the US to ensure the deal is implemented as soon as possible. In the meantime, the UK remains the first country in the world to benefit from a 25% tariff rate that is half the 50% global rate.Where domestic producers believe they are at risk of being injured by unfair foreign trade practices, such as dumping or subsidisation, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority. I welcome the fact that the TRA has been in discussion with UK aluminium producers over a potential trade remedies investigation.

What steps his Department is taking to help protect the aluminium industry through free trade agreements.

We have taken decisive action to support the UK aluminium industry through recent trade agreements that reduce barriers and enhance market access. For example, in May, the UK concluded a landmark economic deal with the US, which included an agreement to remove the 25% tariff on steel and aluminium - restoring rates to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) levels. We continue to work closely with the US to ensure the deal is implemented as soon as possible. In the meantime, the UK remains the first country in the world to benefit from a 25% tariff rate that is half the 50% global rate.Where domestic producers believe they are at risk of being injured by unfair foreign trade practices, such as dumping or subsidisation, they should directly engage the Trade Remedies Authority. I welcome the fact that the TRA has been in discussion with UK aluminium producers over a potential trade remedies investigation.

For what reason the aluminium sector was not included in the Industrial Strategy.

The Industrial Strategy focusses on the eight sectors with the highest economic potential, while supporting the Government's strategic objectives of resilient, environmentally sustainable, and regionally balanced growth. It also identifies foundational inputs for those sectors, including aluminium.The aluminium sector will benefit from wider growth policies. The latest UK criticality assessment includes aluminium within its critical minerals list, to be used as the basis for the upcoming Critical Minerals Strategy. Some aluminium businesses will benefit from the increased network charge compensation.We will also consult on eligibility for the new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme, which will cut electricity bills for electricity-intensive industries by up to 25%.

Whether his Department plans to take steps to reduce the volume of substandard goods entering the UK market from (a) Temu and (b) other cheap import companies.

UK product safety law requires all products to be safe before being placed on the market. The Office for Product Safety and Standards coordinates targeted and intelligence-led interventions at our ports and borders with Local Authority Trading Standards, HMRC, and Border Force to prevent unsafe products entering the UK. In 2023-2024, this resulted in more than 2.4m goods being blocked from entry.Government has introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Bill to update our product safety framework. Following Royal Assent, we intend to consult on the duties of e-commerce businesses, so that consumers and compliant businesses are even better protected.

What steps his Department is taking to compensate employees of (a) the Post Office, (b) sub-postmasters and (c) shops that fulfilled Post Office functions who were (i) prosecuted, (ii) arrested and (iii) had their employment terminated on the basis of flawed information generated by the Horizon system.

Regardless of employment status, individuals who had their Horizon-related convictions overturned, or were prosecuted but not convicted, are eligible to apply for redress through the Overturned Convictions Scheme or Horizon Convictions Redress Scheme. Postmasters who were part of the 2019 group litigation against the Post Office are eligible for redress via the Group Litigation Order Scheme, whilst those not in any of these groups who suffered mainly shortfall losses may seek redress via the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS). Individuals who were employees of the Post Office, or those who were employed by a business partner of the Post Office or a postmaster in branch, unfortunately are not eligible for redress under the HSS. This is because they did not have a direct contract with the Post Office. We are, however, continuing to look actively at potential gaps in the provision of redress which may prevent individuals who were affected by the Horizon scandal from being able to claim redress.

How many businesses engaged with UK Export Finance in financial years (a) 2021-22, (b) 2022-23 and (c) 2023-24.

The numbers of businesses that UK Export Finance (UKEF) supported in the financial years in question are shown in the table below: Total exporters supported2021/225452022/235322023/24650 Further information is available in UKEF’s annual report and accounts, available online at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-export-finance-annual-report-and-accounts-2023-to-2024.

What steps his Department is taking to provide export support for small businesses.

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. DBT is 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.

What steps his Department has taken to improve the (a) visibility and (b) accessibility of the Export Academy for micro businesses looking to export.

The UK Export Academy is here to support all businesses to grow by giving attendees the confidence and know-how to land overseas deals, and it is reaching more micro-businesses than ever before. Already this year, more than 3,700 micro-businesses have registered so far to attend the free training sessions, which is an increase on 2023/24 where 3,639 micro-businesses registered. To make the UK Export Academy more accessible, we are piloting video-on-demand and a catch-up service has been launched so micro-business owners can access session recordings at a time that suits them, online, and from anywhere across the UK.