Written questions by Dhesi.

Whether he has plans to introduce consistent product standards for domestic plug-in solar systems.

Suppliers of all products placed on the UK market, including domestic plug-in solar systems, must ensure they comply with relevant product safety legislative requirements. This includes specific product regulations such as the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 and the broader General Product Safety Regulations, on which we have recently launched a consultation on proposed reforms. These reforms seek to develop a product safety framework that reflects the modern world, giving consumers confidence in the products they buy and use and giving businesses the certainty they need to grow and innovate.

What steps he has taken to encourage the use of UK‑produced steel (a) across central government, (b) within the wider public sector, (c) by private sector companies in receipt of government procurement contracts and (d) across the rest of the private sector.

The government’s Steel Strategy sets out our ambition to see much more UK-made steel used across public and private projects, whilst respecting our legal obligations.For central government procurement, it is now a requirement that UK made steel is considered, as procurers must consult a digital catalogue of UK made steel products before making decisions. We also publish a steel pipeline annually, which provides a signal to the market by highlighting future opportunities in central government projects.For offshore wind projects, we have reformed the Clean Industry Bonus to create new incentives for manufacturers to invest in UK steel in domestic wind turbines and wind farms.We continue to work with other government departments to identify more opportunities for the use of UK made steel.

Whether he is taking steps to increase helium reserves for (a) scientific research, (b) national security, (c) critical infrastructure and (d) other priority uses.

Helium is vital for the UK’s economic growth and security, industrial strategy, and clean energy transition. DBT is working across Government mapping supply chains and assessing risks, mitigations, and potential interventions, conducting detailed analysis including on emerging risks.Through the 2025 UK Critical Minerals Strategy we will build strong partnerships with key markets to diversify production and processing and strengthen our supply chains, alongside working with key existing producers.At present, in response to the Middle East situation, the Government’s approach is to work collaboratively with industry, the healthcare sector and international partners to improve supply resilience, encourage efficient use, and support the development of alternative technologies and recovery systems, rather than to introduce blanket restrictions.We encourage any business experiencing disruption to visit business.gov.uk to access support and guidance.

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing temporary restrictions on the (a) public sale and (b) commercial use of helium.

Helium is vital for the UK’s economic growth and security, industrial strategy, and clean energy transition. DBT is working across Government mapping supply chains and assessing risks, mitigations, and potential interventions, conducting detailed analysis including on emerging risks.Through the 2025 UK Critical Minerals Strategy we will build strong partnerships with key markets to diversify production and processing and strengthen our supply chains, alongside working with key existing producers.At present, in response to the Middle East situation, the Government’s approach is to work collaboratively with industry, the healthcare sector and international partners to improve supply resilience, encourage efficient use, and support the development of alternative technologies and recovery systems, rather than to introduce blanket restrictions.We encourage any business experiencing disruption to visit business.gov.uk to access support and guidance.

What the average staffing complement is for a ministerial private office within their Department; what grades those staff are appointed at; what the typical remuneration and contracted working hours are for those posts; and what the staff turnover rate is.

Ministerial private offices are small teams whose composition varies by Minister and portfolio. Private secretaries are paid in line with Civil Service pay frameworks, with contractual hours set out in individual contracts. The Department does not hold data on turnover for individual private offices.

With reference to paragraph 88 of the policy paper entitled UK Government Resilience Action Plan, published on 14 July 2025, how many meetings have been attended by civil servants within their Department in relation to the Home Defence Programme; which directorate in the Department owns the Departmental contribution to the Home Defence Programme; and what the job title is of the civil servant leading and cohering the Departmental contribution to the Home Defence Programme.

Any disclosure of specific meetings relating to defence is restricted to protect the principle of collective responsibility, allowing officials to debate policies freely in private.Various teams across the Department for Business and Trade contribute towards ongoing conversations in relation to the Home Defence Programme. The responsibility for this policy area is shared across several teams and does not fall to one singular official or directorate.

What assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing forward secondary legislation to amend the Insolvency Act 1986 so as to enable employees to claim directly against company directors where an insolvent company has knowingly failed to comply with minimum wage legislation.

Employees of companies subject to insolvency proceedings are already able to claim arrears of wages, up to a statutory limit, from the National Insurance Fund through the Insolvency Service. In situations where minimum wage provisions have not been met, this can include an uplift payment.Knowingly breaching minimum wage provisions is evidence of misconduct, and the Secretary of State may, where public interest criteria are met, seek to disqualify a culpable director. Where a director is disqualified, they may also be required to pay compensation for the benefit of creditors who have been directly harmed by their actions.

With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, how many meetings officials from their Department have attended on the national conversation on defence and security; which directorate in their Department is responsible for the departmental contribution to that national conversation; and what the job title is of the official responsible.

Although various teams across the Department for Business and Trade contribute towards these conversations and the responsibility is shared across several policy areas and does not fall to one singular official or directorate, we do not disclose details of specific meetings relating to national security and defence to protect the principle of collective responsibility, allowing ministers and officials to debate policies freely in private.

Whether he has considered the potential merits of the introduction of licensing for locksmithing.

The Department keeps the consumer protection framework under regular review and is aware of some issues with rogue traders in the locksmith industry. Locksmiths must comply with existing consumer legislation. Where traders do not comply with the law, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has strengthened enforcement powers. It has given the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) new administrative powers to enable them and the courts to impose significant monetary penalties. Consumers are advised to use providers that operate under a regulated trusted trader scheme, such as the Master Locksmiths Association, which ensures approved locksmiths are appropriately vetted, inspected and qualified.

With reference to paragraph 88 of the UK Government Resilience Action Plan, how many meetings Ministers in their Department have attended related to the Home Defence Programme.

Details of the meetings held by Ministers of the Department for Business and Trade are available on transparency pages of gov.uk and are released as part of the Government's transparency agenda.

With reference to page 92 of the Strategic Defence Review, published on 2 June 2025, how many (a) public engagements and (b) private meetings Ministers in their Department have undertaken related to the national conversation on defence and security.

Since the publication of the Strategic Defence Review in June 2025, the Secretary of State for Business has regularly met with Cabinet colleagues to discuss a variety of measures/policies.Disclosure of such meetings is restricted to protect the principle of collective responsibility, allowing ministers to debate policies freely in private.The Department for Business and Trade is committed in its support for the Strategic Defence Review through a robust economic security programme, trade remedies and other defence and security aligned policy areas.

What recent discussions he has had with online advertising platforms regarding the adequacy of safeguards in place to prevent rogue locksmiths from using their advertising services.

There have been no recent discussion with online platforms on this specific matter. However, the department regularly engages with stakeholders on issues affecting consumers.Online platforms must comply with The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. The Act clarifies that online platforms must exercise professional diligence in relation to consumer transactions promoted or made on their platforms. The legislation carries criminal penalties and is enforced by Trading Standards officers and the CMA.The Government encourages consumers to use providers that operate under a regulated trusted trader scheme, such as the Master Locksmiths Association (MLA), which has a Police Crime Prevention-approved licensing scheme in place to ensure approved locksmiths are appropriately vetted, inspected and qualified.

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of consumer protections against rogue locksmiths.

My department keeps the consumer protection framework under review to ensure that it is effective in protecting consumers. Locksmiths must comply with consumer legislation. Where traders do not comply with the law, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 has strengthened enforcement powers, including by giving the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) new administrative powers, and empowering the CMA and courts to impose significant monetary penalties of up to 10% of turnover. The CMA recently used the fining powers for the first time. The Government encourages consumers to use providers that operate under a regulated trusted trader scheme, such as the Master Locksmiths Association, which has a Police Crime Prevention-approved licensing scheme in place to ensure approved locksmiths are appropriately vetted, inspected and qualified.

What recent steps his Department have taken to ensure businesses adhere to creditors' responsibilities when debtors are under a Debt respite breathing space period.

A breathing space gives individuals the right to legal protections from creditor action to recover debts included in the agreement. If a creditor does not comply, the regulations set out that the debt adviser responsible for the application can contact the creditor to remind them of their obligations or ultimately notify the Insolvency Service, as the scheme’s administrator, to require their compliance. Notifications to the Insolvency Service are very rare. If non-compliance persists, action taken by a creditor is invalid and they may be liable for the debtor’s costs. Repeated breaches can be considered by the creditor’s regulator, where appropriate.

What steps he is able to take to respond to economic coercion from other countries.

The UK is well prepared to respond to economic coercion and has a strong and flexible toolkit to defend its interests. We can act through diplomatic engagement, international dispute mechanisms, and cooperation with allies, including the G7. We also retain the ability to use trade and non‑trade measures, consistent with international rules, to address unfair trading practices and protect UK businesses. Alongside this, we are strengthening economic resilience by supporting businesses to diversify markets and supply chains, and by continuing to reform and enhance our trade defence and remedies framework, including through seeking views on new powers to respond to economic pressure.

What is the largest number of companies registered to a single individual acting in the role as an officer of those companies.

With the information currently available, the largest number of active officer appointments linked to a single individual is 1008. This information is available publicly through Companies House data products.That individual may have more appointments if they have used different appointment names and/or addresses with other companies. This will change when Companies House completes its implementation of mandatory identity verification. Having verified identities will ensure that Companies House can accurately determine how many companies an specific person is linked to. This will improve corporate transparency and deliver significant value to anyone considering transacting with a company.

Who is the Chief Risk Officer for national security risks relating to the work of their Department.

Each risk in the National Risk Register assigned to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has a designated Risk Owner, working within the Department which is responsible for designated risk areas. The Secretary of State and the Permanent Secretary are ultimately responsible for all risks owned by DBT as the Lead Government Department.

What assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the enforcement of penalties for non-compliance with the UK's Register of Overseas Entities.

The Government recognises the challenges of enforcing financial penalties on overseas entities but remains committed to ensuring compliance with the Register of Overseas Entities (ROE) requirements. Companies House has strengthened its enforcement strategy, introducing robust procedures to address non-compliance with penalties, and will continue to monitor the effectiveness of enforcement. Non-compliant entities are also prohibited from selling, leasing, or raising finance on their property until they meet the ROE requirements. The Government will also carry out a Post-Implementation Review in 2027 to assess the effectiveness of the ROE.

What recent steps he has taken to help ensure that unsafe children's toys are not sold on online marketplaces.

Under the Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011, all toys placed on the market must meet essential safety requirements. Despite this, we recognise that it remains too easy for non-compliant products to be made available to UK consumers on online marketplaces. The Office for Product Safety and Standards works to assess the prevalence of unsafe toys online and takes enforcement action where needed.Government has also introduced the Product Regulation and Metrology Act 2025, which allows us to introduce clearer requirements on online marketplaces to improve consumer safety and ensure fair competition. We will consult on proposals with stakeholders in due course.

What recent steps he has taken with local councils to tackle the illegal use of fireworks in (a) Slough constituency and (b) Berkshire.

Enforcement powers exist for local authorities to take action when fireworks are unsafe, sold illegally or misused. Local authorities and the police also have powers to tackle anti-social behaviour caused by the misuse of fireworks. It is for local areas to decide how best to deploy these powers.