Select Committee · Business and Trade Committee

Export led growth

Status: Closed Opened: 15 Jan 2025 Closed: 10 Mar 2026 28 recommendations 5 conclusions 2 reports

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 as the UK navigates a …

Clear

Reports

2 reports
Title HC No. Published Items Response
8th Report - Export led growth: Trade with the Asia-Pacific… HC 1048 29 Jun 2025 13 Responded
6th Report – How to strengthen UK-EU relations: Policy Prio… HC 908 15 May 2025 20 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

10 items
3 Recommendation 6th Report – How to strengthen UK-EU re… Acknowledged

Enhance UK-EU cooperation against unfair trade practices, including forced labour and industrial subsidies.

The UK should work closely with the EU to strengthen coordinated action against non-market economies that undermine the international trading system through unfair practices, including use of forced labour, industrial subsidies, state-owned enterprise advantages, and forced technology transfers. Enhancing cooperation on trade defence instruments—such as anti-subsidy and anti-dumping measures—along with …

Government response. The government notes existing UK-EU cooperation on economic stability and supply chain security through regular exchanges and high-level meetings. It states it is exploring ways to exchange views on economic security policies and is reviewing its internal approach to minimise …
Department for Business and Trade
9 Recommendation 6th Report – How to strengthen UK-EU re… Acknowledged

Maximise cuts to EU trade red tape, pursuing AEO recognition and waiving security declarations.

The Government should seek to maximise cuts to the red tape currently restricting free trade with the EU, taking full advantage of the customs cooperation provisions in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Specifically, it should pursue mutual recognition of UK and EU Authorised Economic Operator schemes for customs simplification, a …

Government response. The government acknowledged the recommendation, stating its commitment to easing trade burdens and its regular engagement with industry through existing forums and with the EU via TCA committees to identify and address issues within the current framework. No specific action …
Department for Business and Trade
15 Recommendation 6th Report – How to strengthen UK-EU re… Acknowledged

Monitor EU’s Data Union Strategy and ensure a permanent data adequacy agreement is secured.

We note the extensive cooperation between the Government and the European Commission on the Data (Use and Access) Bill. We recommend that the Government monitors the EU’s Data Union Strategy upon its publication, assesses implications for UK policy, and take whatever steps are required to ensure a permanent data adequacy …

Government response. The government acknowledged the recommendation, stating it will follow the EU Data Union Strategy with interest and noting the 6-month extension to the UK's adequacy decisions. UK officials will continue to support the ongoing adequacy review process.
Department for Business and Trade
19 Conclusion 6th Report – How to strengthen UK-EU re… Acknowledged

Continued UK-EU engagement necessary for smoother market access for touring artists.

We recognise the importance of reducing barriers to trade for touring artists. Given the economic and cultural significance of these sectors, continued engagement between UK and EU regulatory bodies is necessary to facilitate smoother market access. (Recommendation, Paragraph 89) 47

Government response. The government committed with the EU at the Summit to support travel and cultural exchange for touring artists and will continue to engage with the EU and Member States, including through annual summits and industry stakeholders, to improve touring arrangements.
Department for Business and Trade
1 Recommendation 8th Report - Export led growth: Trade w… Acknowledged

Include robust, enforceable intellectual property chapters in all new and updated FTAs.

Asia-Pacific offers vast commercial potential for UK exports of both goods and services, but realising these opportunities for greater trade will depend on overcoming barriers through targeted regulatory diplomacy and sustained engagement through dialogues and trade frameworks. In particular, the Government must include robust and enforceable IP chapters in all …

Government response. The government agreed on the importance of trade dialogues for achieving trade outcomes and described its ongoing engagement with Asia-Pacific partners to address market access and regulatory environments. However, it did not explicitly commit to including robust IP chapters in …
Department for Business and Trade
3 Recommendation 8th Report - Export led growth: Trade w… Acknowledged

Maintain commitment to Global Combat Air Programme and provide longer-term funding for industry confidence.

The Government must continue its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme as a conduit to build further on good relations with Japan, a key partner in the region. By recognising the power of such partnerships, and exploring where these can be grown, the UK is building a bedrock upon …

Government response. The government reaffirms its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme and continued defence cooperation with Japan, highlighting ongoing annual steering panels. However, it only acknowledges the importance of stable funding without committing to the recommended longer-term funding cycles.
Department for Business and Trade
5 Recommendation 8th Report - Export led growth: Trade w… Acknowledged

Confirm education as a priority sector within trade strategy to maximise export potential.

Education and higher education are critical export sectors in Asia-Pacific and strategic enablers of the best possible export environment in the region. The Government’s trade strategy should confirm that education is a priority sector and the Industrial Strategy Council should ensure there is a cross-Whitehall dialogue that helps maximise the …

Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of education exports and is delivering through its International Education Strategy, having reappointed an education champion. It also notes that embassies have been instructed to consider deploying soft power, and a Soft Power Strategy is …
Department for Business and Trade
6 Conclusion 8th Report - Export led growth: Trade w… Acknowledged

Asia's divergent digital trade governance creates opportunity for UK alignment.

Asia is fast becoming a key market for digital trade, shaped by divergent data governance models and rapid technological transformation. While regulatory fragmentation poses challenges, it also creates a window for the UK to support greater alignment through trusted, collaborative partnerships. There is a clear opportunity to promote convergence—via CPTPP, …

Government response. The government acknowledges the importance of digital trade and states its Trade Strategy aims to explore deeper digital trade cooperation, including potentially acceding to DEPA and other agreements, while continuing to lead at the WTO. However, no firm commitments are …
Department for Business and Trade
7 Recommendation 8th Report - Export led growth: Trade w… Acknowledged

Shift greater attention to joining open-ended digital agreements for faster market access.

As part of the new trade strategy, the Government should shift greater attention and resourcing toward joining open-ended digital agreements, such as DEPA, that better reflect the Indo-Pacific’s role as the engine of global digital growth, and offer faster, more flexible market access than traditional FTAs. (Recommendation, Paragraph 48)

Government response. The government states its Trade Strategy intends to explore deepening digital trade cooperation and agreements, including exploring accession to DEPA if in the national interest, but is not yet in a position to confirm seeking accession.
Department for Business and Trade
9 Recommendation 8th Report - Export led growth: Trade w… Acknowledged

Set out plan to promote liberalisation and export of environmental goods and services.

As part of its new trade strategy, the Government should clearly set out how it will promote the liberalisation and export of environmental goods and services, particularly in and to the fast-moving Asia-Pacific region. The strategy must be aligned with the UK’s industrial strategy, underpinned by clear commitments to assess …

Government response. The government outlined its general engagement with Asia-Pacific markets, including ministerial travel, CPTPP membership, and existing trade agreements, stating that its trade policy aims to generate UK growth through various levers. However, it did not specifically detail how it will …
Department for Business and Trade

Oral evidence sessions

4 sessions
Date Witnesses
3 Jun 2025 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 View ↗
25 Mar 2025 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 View ↗
25 Feb 2025 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 View ↗
21 Jan 2025 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 View ↗

Correspondence

30 letters
DateDirectionTitle
11 Feb 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round nine of negotiati…
3 Feb 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the signature of the UK…
6 Jan 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round three of negotiat…
6 Jan 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the UK-Swiss mutual rec…
6 Jan 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to the Southern Africa Cus…
6 Jan 2026 To cttee Letter from the Minster of State for Trade relating to the UK-Republic of Korea…
12 Nov 2025 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to EU Cumulation and Direc…
4 Nov 2025 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round eight of negotiat…
21 Oct 2025 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade relating to round 2 of negotiations…
15 Oct 2025 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to UK-Greenland Partnership, Trade …
15 Oct 2025 To cttee Letter from Minister of State for Trade relating to UK’s WTO Article XXVIII pro…
2 Sep 2025 To cttee Letter from the Paymaster General and the Minister for Trade Policy and Economi…
2 Sep 2025 To cttee Letter from the Secretary of State relating to the UK's bioethanol industry, 4 …
23 Jul 2025 To cttee Letter from the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to rou…
23 Jul 2025 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relati…
15 Jul 2025 To cttee Letter from Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security relating to launch …
1 Jul 2025 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relati…
1 Jul 2025 To cttee Letter from the Minister of State for Trade Policy and Economic Security relati…
24 Jun 2025 To cttee Letter from AB Sugar relating to UK Bio-ethanol industry, 18 June 2025
24 Jun 2025 From cttee Letter to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Secretary of St…