Export led growth

Business and Trade Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 15 Jan 2025 Closed: 10 Mar 2026 Parliament page
The Government has set its sights on achieving the "highest sustained growth in the G7". This will be backed by new industrial and trade strategies to boost productivity, create good jobs and strengthen global partnerships including with the EU. The Business and Trade Committee will examine the Government's trade strategy … Read more
28 Recommendations
5 Conclusions
2 Reports
4 Oral sessions
30 Letters
4 Events
Activity timeline 42 events
11 Feb
2026
Correspondence
3 Feb
2026
Correspondence
6 Jan
2026
Correspondence
6 Jan
2026
Correspondence
6 Jan
2026
Correspondence
6 Jan
2026
Correspondence
12 Nov
2025
Correspondence
4 Nov
2025
Correspondence
21 Oct
2025
Correspondence
15 Oct
2025
Correspondence
15 Oct
2025
Correspondence
19 Sep
2025
Report published
Oral evidence sessions 4 sessions
3 Jun 2025
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Andy Richardson · Special Melted Products David Exwood · National Farmers Union George Drakos · Bridgnorth Aluminium Jonathan Legh-Smith · UKQuantum Murray Paul · Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) Paul Kenward · ABF Sugar Russell Codling · Tata Steel UK Sabina Ciofu · techUK Simon Thomas · Paragraf Steve Bates · Bioindustry Association
25 Mar 2025
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Alex Gover · Intralink Charlie Humphreys · Asia House Douglas Barrie · International Institute for Strategic Studies Harry Anderson · Universities UK Helen Brocklebank · Walpole Ian Gibbons OBE · UK ASEAN Business Council Johanna Kyrklund · Schroders Mr Jonathan Brenton · Pernod Ricard Nicola Watkinson · TheCityUK
25 Feb 2025
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Eric Gottwald · AFL-CIO Frank Aaskov · UK Steel George Magnus · University of Oxford China Centre and School of Oriental and African Studies Lord Mark Sedwill, Cabinet Secretary (2018-2020) Mr Marley Morris · Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) Rebecca Sedler · National Grid Rosa Crawford · Trade Union Congress (TUC) Sarah Williams · Green Alliance Sean Sargent · Green Lithium Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles · China-Britain Business Council The Lord Hannan of Kingsclere · Institute for Free Trade Tom Brufatto · Best for Britain Tom Wills · Trade Justice Movement
21 Jan 2025
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Amanda Brooks CBE · Department for Business and Trade Niall MacEntee-Creighton · Cabinet Office Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP · Department for Business and Trade Rt Hon Nick Thomas-Symonds MP · Cabinet Office
Recommendations & Conclusions
19 results
Clear
2 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Mandate UK-EU security arrangements include explicit recognition of mutually beneficial critical infrastructure protection.
Any new UK-EU security arrangements must include an explicit recognition that it would be mutually beneficial to act together to guard the critical national infrastructure on which the UK and EU business community depends, from those who wish it ill. … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation, stating that the new UK-EU Security & Defence Partnership will enhance cooperation on critical infrastructure resilience, including underwater infrastructure. It confirms the partnership reflects shared interests and will enable working together to tackle risks and build collective resilience.
Department for Business and Trade
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4 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Explore opportunities to deepen UK-EU law enforcement cooperation, securing real-time intelligence exchanges.
To support the fight against economic crime, we urge the Government to explore how to maximise opportunities to deepen law enforcement cooperation with the EU, in particular to secure real-time intelligence exchanges. We hope to see the announcement of a … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, stating that a package was agreed at the UK-EU Summit to strengthen law enforcement cooperation, including new data exchange capabilities for DNA, facial imagery, criminal records, and biometric data. This will involve increased cooperation with Europol and the EU Drugs Agency.
Department for Business and Trade
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5 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Join the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) to uphold a functioning dispute resolution system.
The UK and EU both support a stable free trading system. Like the EU, the UK Government should join the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) to help uphold a functioning dispute resolution system while broader WTO reforms are negotiated. … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the UK has joined the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) following the publication of the Trade Strategy, reinforcing its commitment to an effective rules-based international trading system.
Department for Business and Trade
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6 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Prioritise minimisation of Northern Ireland trade burdens, building trust and maintaining clear communication.
The Committee urges the Government to prioritise the minimisation of trade burdens in Northern Ireland as a fundamental element of any future UK- EU reset. This should be achieved through a strong emphasis on building trust between the Parties, maintaining … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the Windsor Framework has already removed trade burdens and that UK-EU Summit outcomes will deliver further benefits, particularly on agri-food. It confirms it is keen to progress further discussions on the SPS agreement and will continue to engage with Northern Ireland stakeholders and businesses to implement the Windsor Framework and secure benefits from the new SPS agreement.
Department for Business and Trade
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7 Conclusion Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Committee supports Government intention to negotiate a UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.
We support the Government’s intention to negotiate a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU to reduce the need for regulatory formalities and controls at the border for agri-food products, plants and animals. (Recommendation, Paragraph 31) Read more
Government Response
The government confirmed its manifesto commitment to a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement with the EU, stating that broad parameters were agreed at the UK-EU Summit. This will eliminate routine SPS border checks and Export Health Certificates, with talks to begin immediately to implement the agreement.
Department for Business and Trade
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8 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Call on Government to enable a multi-year fisheries settlement, signalling a fair deal.
We concur with the recommendation of the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly that there would be value in “providing a signal at or before the [UK-EU] Summit that a fair deal on fisheries will be reached” and call on the Government … Read more
Government Response
The government secured a 12-year fishing access arrangement with the EU and announced a new £360 million 'Fishing and Coastal Growth Fund' over 12 years to support the industry.
Department for Business and Trade
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10 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Consult industry on rejoining the Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Preferential Rules of Origin Convention.
The Government should consult with industry on rejoining the Regional Convention on Pan-Euro-Mediterranean Preferential Rules of Origin as an alternative to the rules of origin arrangements agreed in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49) Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, stating it will engage with businesses and Pan-Euro-Mediterranean (PEM) members to consider the benefits of the UK joining the PEM convention, as outlined in its Trade Strategy.
Department for Business and Trade
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12 Conclusion Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Energy trade presents a major opportunity for enhanced UK-EU cooperation.
Energy trade represents a major opportunity for enhanced UK-EU trade and cooperation. Given shared strategic objectives—reducing carbon emissions, improving energy security, and expanding renewables—both sides have a mutual interest in strengthening their partnership. (Conclusion, Paragraph 64) 46 Read more
Government Response
The government welcomed the Committee's conclusion on energy cooperation and stated that the UK and EU agreed to stabilise the TCA's Energy Title, explore UK participation in EU electricity trading platforms, and strengthen cooperation on clean energy technologies.
Department for Business and Trade
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14 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Link and keep aligned the UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes to prevent trade barriers.
To prevent the UK and EU’s respective Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism schemes from becoming barriers to trade in electricity and carbon- intensive goods, when doing so maximises export potential and reduces consumer costs, the Government should seek to link, and … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, stating that parameters for a new agreement to link the UK and EU Emissions Trading Schemes have been agreed, with technical negotiations to begin shortly. This agreement is expected to facilitate mutual CBAM exemptions and achieve economic benefits. The government is also engaging with businesses to mitigate the impacts of the EU CBAM.
Department for Business and Trade
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16 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Prioritise financial services in EU relations and advance regulatory cooperation via the Forum.
The Government should prioritise financial services in EU relations by using the EU-UK Financial Regulatory Forum to build on previous best practice and advance regulatory cooperation. (Recommendation, Paragraph 76)
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, affirming its commitment to working with the EU on financial services and stating it will continue to use the UK-EU Financial Regulatory Forum to deepen regulatory cooperation, build trust, and support cross-border financial services trade.
Department for Business and Trade
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17 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Make the case for European Research Programmes to be open and maximise UK participation.
To achieve the best outcomes in terms of innovation and in turn growth, we urge that the Government make the case for all elements of European Research Framework Programmes, including FP10, to be open to third- country participation, and urge … Read more
Government Response
The government accepted the recommendation, noting its strong cooperation in existing EU research programs and stating it has published a position paper on Framework Programme 10 (FP10). The UK is interested in associating with FP10, assuming it is open and provides value, and will engage in its development from the outset.
Department for Business and Trade
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20 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Develop ambitious UK-EU visa-based youth mobility scheme for cultural and educational exchange.
The UK and the EU should consider the development of an ambitious, visa- based youth mobility scheme with a limited number of participants. This initiative would allow young people to spend up to 12 months in the UK or EU … Read more
Government Response
The government agreed with the EU to work towards establishing a balanced, time-limited, and capped youth experience scheme, in line with existing UK schemes, to provide cultural and educational exchange opportunities. The exact parameters will be subject to negotiation.
Department for Business and Trade
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21 Recommendation Accepted
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-…
Expedite efforts to strengthen UK-EU economic competitiveness and strategic alignment.
The Committee urges the Government to pursue these opportunities urgently and decisively, ensuring Britain and Europe remain globally competitive and strategically aligned. (Recommendation, Paragraph 100) 48
Government Response
The government stated it has already worked decisively to strengthen cooperation with the EU and will conclude further technical negotiations as swiftly as possible. They also highlighted broader global policy efforts to re-establish UK leadership on the international stage.
Department for Business and Trade
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2 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Utilise trade dialogues in Asia to reduce tariffs, regulatory uncertainty, and enhance intellectual property protection.
The Government should use its full network of trade dialogues in Asia to push for real, commercially meaningful outcomes to drive down tariffs, remove regulatory uncertainty and improve intellectual property protection. In particular, the Department should explore wider use of … Read more
Government Response
The government agrees on the importance of trade dialogues and states it already uses them to address market access barriers and engage with businesses at various levels, including ministerial dialogues, without committing to new methods like 'between the meeting' task and finish groups.
Department for Business and Trade
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8 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Step up engagement to encourage alignment in digital rules and support WTO e-commerce.
The Government should step up collaborative engagement to encourage greater alignment and interoperability in digital rules, while maintaining strong multilateral commitments. In particular, the Government must continue to support the WTO e-commerce moratorium and the Joint Statement Initiative on e-commerce. … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the UK is a leading voice at the WTO, actively supports the e-commerce moratorium, and has played a leading role in the E-Commerce Joint Initiative, having joined the resulting agreement in July 2024.
Department for Business and Trade
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10 Conclusion Accepted
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Seizing Asia trade opportunities requires consistent approach, policy certainty, and political engagement.
The UK’s reputation as a reliable and constructive partner makes it well-placed to navigate Asia’s evolving trade landscape. However, the Committee heard that seizing these opportunities will require a more embedded and consistent approach, underpinned by policy certainty and sustained … Read more
Government Response
The government stated its continued investment in building deep expertise and contacts in Asia-Pacific markets as part of the Global Trade Outlook 2025, aiming to deliver growth, aligning with the committee's observation on the need for a more embedded and consistent approach.
Department for Business and Trade
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11 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Provide long-term policy certainty to businesses for greater trade with Asia.
The Committee, therefore, calls on the Government to provide long-term policy certainty to businesses navigating rising geo-political and regulatory complexity across the region to enable them to take up the opportunities that greater trade with Asia. It must also continue … Read more
Government Response
The government states its Industrial Strategy provides long-term certainty and stability, and its Trade Strategy outlines policy priorities, committing to continue engagement with Asian partners. This indicates existing frameworks address the committee's call.
Department for Business and Trade
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12 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Embed UK in Asia's regional growth corridors through regular ministerial attendance at events.
The Government should look to incorporate regular ministerial and official attendance at key events in Asian economic centres, such as GIFT City in India, where UK exports have the most potential to grow. Diplomatic trade policy should move beyond a … Read more
Government Response
The government states that Ministers have already engaged extensively across Asia and will continue to do so, highlighting CPTPP membership and ASEAN partnership as ways it is embedding itself in key markets. It also confirms its trade policy goes beyond a solely export-driven model.
Department for Business and Trade
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13 Recommendation Accepted
8th Report - Export led growth: Tr…
Invest properly in tailored trade resources and realign DBT staff for Asian markets.
We agree with Douglas Alexander that the Government’s trade-focused resource must be matched to the potential of the export opportunities around the world. The Government must, therefore, invest properly in trade resources that are tailored to the needs of each … Read more
Government Response
The government states it is already prioritizing support for businesses in high-opportunity markets and is reviewing the size and shape of its overseas network, informed by analysis from the Global Trade Outlook 2025, to ensure resources are focused on strategic priorities.
Department for Business and Trade
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Government Response AI assessment · 33 of 28 classified
Accepted 19
Accepted in Part 3
Acknowledged 10
Deferred 1
Total 28 recs + 5 conclusions
Correspondence 30 letters
11 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round nine of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland, 2 February 2026
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3 Feb 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the signature of the UK-Indonesia Economic Growth Partnership, 19 January 2026
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6 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round three of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, 11 December 2025
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6 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the UK-Swiss mutual recognition agreement on Conformity Assessment, 10 December 2025
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6 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the Southern Africa Customs Union and Mozambique, 8 December 2025
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6 Jan 2026 To committee Letter from the Minster of State for Trade relating to the UK-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement, 15 December 2025
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12 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to EU Cumulation and Direct Transport in the United Kingdom-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement, 5 November 2025
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4 Nov 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round eight of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland, 28 October 2025
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21 Oct 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round 2 of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, 13 October 2025
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15 Oct 2025 To committee Letter from Minister of State for Trade relating to UK’s WTO Article XXVIII process, 17 September 2025
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15 Oct 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to UK-Greenland Partnership, Trade and Cooperation Agreement Negotiations, 3 October 2025
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2 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to the UK's bioethanol industry, 4 August 2025
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2 Sep 2025 To committee Letter from the Paymaster General and the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to the Committee's sixth report on UK-EU relations and the Committee’s letter of 16 June, 15 July 2025
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23 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to round 5 of negotiations on an upgraded Free Trade Agreement with the Republic of Korea, 21 July 2025
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23 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to round 1 of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Turkey, 14 July 2025
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15 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to launch of UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership Pillars on Investment, 27 June 2025
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1 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to the UK’s Trade Strategy, 25 June 2025
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1 Jul 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to round seven of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Switzerland, 25 June 2025
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24 Jun 2025 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Secretary of State for Transport relating to the safeguarding of the Bioethanol Sector, 24 June 2025
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24 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from AB Sugar relating to UK Bio-ethanol industry, 18 June 2025
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3 Jun 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal, 28 May 2025
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20 May 2025 To committee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to a UK trade agreement with the United States, 13 May 2025
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15 May 2025 From committee Letter to the Secretary of State relating to the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal, 15 May 2025
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6 May 2025 To committee Letter from the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to UK measures in response to US tariffs, 25 April 2025
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1 May 2025 From committee Letter to the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to how ministers should respond to US Tariffs, 1 May 2025
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29 Apr 2025 To committee Letter from Trade Remedies Authority relating to monitoring trade diversion and product dumping into the UK market, 17 April 2025
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29 Apr 2025 To committee Letter from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders relating to their position on PEM, 24 April 2025
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22 Apr 2025 To committee Letter from Walpole relating to oral evidence given before the Committee, 28 March 2025
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16 Apr 2025 From committee Letter to Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to the Government's consultation on the response to US tariffs, 16 April 2025
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14 Apr 2025 From committee Letter to the Trade Remedies Authority relating to trade diversion and the dumping of goods into the UK market, 14 April 2025
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