Oral QuestionDepartment for Business and Trade

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.

Tabled: 22 January 2026Answered: 29 January 2026

Asked by

Chris Vince

Labour (Co-op)Harlow

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Business and Trade

Answer from Hansard

The Minister of State, Department for Business and Trade (Chris Bryant)

The Secretary of State has asked me to reply, because he is in China with the Prime Minister. In the last few weeks, our Department has concluded an enhanced trade deal with the Republic of Korea, published a critical minerals strategy and secured the Employment Rights Act 2025, which will see the biggest improvement in employment rights in a generation. At home and abroad, we are resolutely on the side of business, tackling barriers to trade, improving productivity, driving up growth and winning business for Britain. Growth is up, productivity is up and business confidence is up.