Tag: Business and Trade Department

The first ever fully digitalised goods shipment yesterday [24 September] landed in Singapore from Burnley after the UK introduced world-leading legislation to make trading cheaper and easier for businesses.

A valve produced by Burnley-based manufacturer Fort Vale set off from Manchester Airport on Thursday, facilitated by UK and Singapore based tech company LogChain, and is set to arrive in Singapore today. For the first time ever, the shipment will be processed entirely digitally, rather than via physical customs documents.

The news comes following the UK’s digital trade agreement with Singapore, which facilitated electronic trade, as well as the introduction of the UK’s ground-breaking Electronic Trade Documents Act (ETDA) which came into force on Wednesday.

The Act made the UK the first G7 country to place electronic trade documents on the same legal footing as paper documents. It is estimated the move could generate £1.14 billion for the UK economy over the next decade, supporting the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the economy.

Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston said:

Digitalised trade will make it quicker, cheaper and easier for firms to do business around the world, saving them significant sums of money. In a world where everyone pays for things digitally, it’s high time we tear up the pointless paperwork and get with the 21st Century.

This is a landmark moment for the future of international trade and I am delighted the UK is leading the way in using technology to make things easier for our companies.

Digitalising trade makes doing business around the globe faster, cheaper and more secure, lowering the risk of fraud and of paper documents being lost, and reducing processing times by up to 75%.

Collaboration with Singapore to execute this fully digitalised shipment was inspired by the groundbreaking UK-Singapore Digital Economy Agreement, signed in 2022, which was the first digitally focused trade agreement ever agreed by a European nation, and would have been impossible to agree independently had we remained in the EU.

With 80% of customs bills based on English law this reform further enhances the UK’s leadership on digital trade and could kickstart digitalisation globally. The UK continues to work with other countries to promote similar reforms.

Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy Paul Scully said:

We have made history today, with the simple act of a valve produced in Burnley arriving in Singapore. Following the commencement of the Electronic Trade Documents Act, we’re showing the world that the UK isn’t merely a participant in the digital economy – we are at its forefront.

This transformative step promises a future where international trade is swifter, more affordable, and inclusive for businesses of every size.

Global Sales and Marketing Director of Fort Vale Graham Blanchard said:

Fort Vale are extremely enthusiastic and excited by the prospect of successful digital trade transactions. As an organisation Fort Vale exports around 90% of its products worldwide. A significant number of our key accounts are based in Singapore and as such, the opportunity to be part of this historic moment was something not to miss.

Fort Vale see the benefits of security, efficiency, cost savings and reduced risk of delays as real positives not only for our organisation, but as a contribution to frictionless trade between the UK and Singapore as a whole.

Managing Director of BT, Asia Pacific Rodney Kinchington said:

We are proud to leverage our expertise to help usher in the landmark UK Electronic Trade Documents Act. Further, the combined efforts of the various companies in this consortium through LogChain’s platform highlights our joint commitment to enhance standards (for transparency, efficiency, and security) in global supply chains, and support for the transformative journey into the future of logistics.

• Revamped Board will have an expanded list of advisers, including a brand new line-up of CEOs from leading food and drink, education and creative industry companies
• New structure will focus specifically on exports in line with Government’s ambition to reach £1 trillion worth of UK exports per year by 2030.
• In their roles as Advisers to the Board, appointees will work with the Department for Business and Trade to help identify and address export barriers and promote the UK brand to the world.

Business and Trade Secretary and President of the Board of Trade Kemi Badenoch has today [Wednesday 20 September] announced a refresh of the Board of Trade at the meeting of one of the government’s highest profile advisory bodies on trade and economic issues.

The Board, which has existed in various forms since the 17th century, offers advice to the government on its trade and exporting strategy, and has included members from across government, academic institutions and business.

In line with the Government’s ambition to grow UK exports every year until we hit a trillion annually by 2030, the focus of the new Board will be on working with leaders from the UK’s top growth sectors to identify and address export barriers so businesses can achieve their full potential. The creative industries, for example, are heavily represented with fashion, film and music CEOs all on the revamped Board.

As well as senior leaders from top global companies and innovative UK businesses, such as Tufan Erginbilgiç Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce, and Sir Lucian Grainge, Managing Director of Universal Music Group, the refreshed Board of Trade will include thought leaders with an expertise in trade and the economy, including Lord Mayor of London Nicholas Lyons and Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Food and Drink Federation.

Business and Trade Secretary and President of the Board of Trade Kemi Badenoch said:

The brilliant new members of the Board of Trade, with their wealth of experience and expertise, will help us to identify barriers to exporting and represent the best of Brand Britain to the world. Some are calling for another dry, report-writing board, but this new board will be fixers. As we seize the immense trading opportunities post-Brexit, we need to pull our socks up and be a team of doers. I’m confident the new Board of Trade will fulfil that ambition.

Pearson CEO Andy Bird said:

I am excited to be appointed as an Advisor to the Board of Trade and look forward to working with the other members of the Board and the Secretary of State on issues that will support the UK’s economic growth and prosperity. As CEO of the world’s leading learning company, I firmly believe in the power of innovation to enable transformation, and I hope I can bring this to bear in my advisory role.

Dulas Managing Director Ruth Chapman said:

I am delighted to be joining the newly convened Trade Board as an Advisor. As a leader of an SME with extensive experience of exporting products globally, I look forward to bringing my expertise on the challenges and opportunities of international trade, helping the UK to achieve its exporting growth ambitions.

Anya Hindmarch, CEO, Anya Hindmarch said:

I am excited to join as an Advisor to the Board of Trade to support business and specifically business export. I hope that my experience of leading a creative company means that I can feed back ‘from the coal face’ with ideas and solutions that help support and unblock barriers to growth. I see business as the ‘engine of the economy’ and believe that the creative industries are pivotal to the Secretary of State’s mission to meeting her ambition of a trillion annually by 2030.

As part of the first engagements of the new, revamped board, today Lord Dominic Johnson hosted an investors breakfast at Fortnum and Mason with a host of luxury brands and investors including Chanel, Bremont and Votary.

New Board of Trade advisers are:

• Andy Bird CBE
• Anya Hindmarch CBE
• Ash Amirahmadi OBE
• David Meller CBE
• Karen Betts OBE
• Libby Hart
• Lord Daniel Hannan
• Paul Golding
• Peter O’Kane
• Rt Hon Nicholas Lyons
• Rt Hon Tony Abbott AC
• Ruth Chapman
• Sarah Kenny OBE
• Sir Lucian Grainge CBE
• Tufan Erginbilgiç
• Vivienne Stern MBE

Alongside the Board of Trade, the Department for Business and Trade provides a range of country and market specific support to exporters of all sizes. This includes the Export Support Service, Export Champions, International Trade Advisors and UK Export Finance, all targeted at getting businesses across the UK exporting more. Latest figures show UK exports were £849bn in the 12 months to the end of July 2023, up £118bn (16%) in current prices, compared to the previous 12 months.

• Millions of workers will have a say over their working patterns as Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill achieves Royal Assent.
• Government-backed law gives all workers the legal right to request a predictable working pattern encouraging workers to begin conversations with their employers.
• Follows a wave of wins for workers after a record National Minimum Wage uplift and boosts to employment protections for parents and unpaid carers.

Workers right across the country will be given more say over their working patterns thanks to new laws supported by the Department for Business and Trade.

Receiving Royal Assent overnight, the Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill, brought forward by Blackpool South MP Scott Benton and Baroness Anderson and supported by the Government, gives individuals on atypical contracts – including those on zero hours contracts – more predictable working hours. It delivers on a 2019 Manifesto commitment to introduce a right for workers to request a more predictable contract.

Zero hours contracts – and other forms of atypical work – are an important part of the UK’s flexible labour market; however, the Government is determined to tackle unfair working practices.

The Predictable Working Act introduces a right for workers to request a more predictable working pattern, intending to redress the imbalance of power between some employers and workers in atypical work, encouraging workers to begin conversations with their employers about their working patterns.

Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

Although zero hours contracts can often suit workers who want to work flexibly and employers whose needs vary, it is unfair for anyone to have to put their lives on hold to make themselves available for shifts that may never actually come – this Act helps to end the guessing game.

A happier workforce means increased productivity, helping in turn to grow the economy, which is why we’ve backed these measures to give people across the UK more say over their working pattern.

If a worker’s existing working pattern lacks certainty in terms of the hours they work, the times they work or if it is a fixed term contract for less than 12 months, they will be able to make a formal application to change their working pattern to make it more predictable. Once a worker has made their request, their employer will be required to notify them of their decision within one month.

As well as clear benefits to workers, the measures are also good for British business. In cases where requests are accepted, workers will have more predictable terms and conditions that better suit their individual circumstances, leading to higher job satisfaction.

This can lead to a range of benefits for businesses, including better staff retention as a worker will not need to look for a new role to secure a working pattern to meet their needs.

Acas Chief Executive Susan Clews said:

With the passing of the new Act, many workers will have the right to request more predictability around their working pattern should they wish to.

Acas is producing a new Code of Practice that will provide clear guidance on making and handling requests. This will help workers and businesses understand the law and have constructive discussions around working arrangements that suit them both. Our draft Code will be available for public consultation in the coming weeks and we encourage all interested parties to respond and let us know their views.

The Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Act 2023 comes as part of a package of Private Member Bills this government has backed over the last few months, cementing the UK’s prevalent worker’s rights laws. These include:

• supporting employee parents of new-born babies who are admitted into neonatal care with up to 12 weeks of paid neonatal care leave
• requiring employers to ensure that all tips, gratuities, and service charges received are paid to workers in full
• offering pregnant women and new parents greater protection against redundancy
• entitling employees who are also unpaid carers to a period of unpaid leave
• providing millions of employees with a day one right to request flexible working, and a greater say over when, where, and how they work

This package of new laws builds on the UK’s flexible and dynamic labour market and gives businesses the confidence to create jobs and invest in their workforce, allowing them to generate long-term economic growth.

Ben Willmott, Head of Public Policy at CIPD said:

This new right will ensure that atypical workers can request a more predictable working pattern if they need more certainty, for example, over the hours they work each week.

It should also prompt more employers to ensure that the flexibility in non-standard employment arrangements works for both the business and workers wherever possible, boosting their efforts to recruit and retain staff.

Background:

• The Government is committed to ensuring the UK is the best place in the world to work and grow a business. To do this, we need a strong and flexible labour market, which supports participation and economic growth. The Government has made this clear since announcing its intention to legislate on this and confirming its support of the Workers (Predictable Terms and Conditions) Bill.
• We expect the measures in the Act and secondary legislation to come into force approximately a year after Royal Assent, to give employers time to prepare for the changes.
• Matthew Taylor’s 2017 review of modern working practices and the gig economy recommended the introduction of this policy, noting that it would support many workers who currently experience ‘one-sided flexibility’.
• Subject to parliamentary approval, all workers and employees will have this new right once it comes into force, however, they must first have worked for their employer a set period before they make their application. This period will be set out in regulations and is expected to be 26 weeks. Given the proposals aim to support those with unpredictable contracts, workers will not have had to have worked continuously during that period.
• In response to this legislation, the Government has asked Acas to prepare a new statutory Code of Practice to help workers and businesses understand the law and to provide guidance on how requests should be made and considered. Acas will launch a public consultation on a draft Code this autumn.

• After a successful start to the Export Champions scheme, ten new Export Champions for Scotland have been appointed
• They join the thirteen appointments made last year, ensuring a broad range of sector expertise is in place
• Working closely with the Department for Business and Trade and Scottish Development International, their role will be to encourage more Scottish businesses to consider selling abroad

Ten new Export Champions have been appointed for Scotland after a positive start to the scheme that was launched just under a year ago.

In October last year the first ever Export Champions for Scotland were selected and tasked with promoting the benefits of exporting.

Since then they have taken part in over 78 engagements where they have spoken at events, shared advice with others in their sector and encouraged other companies across Scotland to consider selling to overseas markets.

The new appointees, selected in partnership with Scottish Development International (SDI), cover a broad range of sectors from life sciences, to hydrogen energy and legal services.

UK Government Minister for Scotland and Exports Lord Malcolm Offord said:

With our current Export Champions having made such an excellent start, we were keen to grow our team here in Scotland to ensure that we were doing all we can to help companies start their export journey.

Our new, larger team now cover an even broader range of sectors, and I look forward to them sharing their success stories of selling abroad and encouraging other Scottish businesses to start doing the same.

Reuben Aitken, Scottish Enterprise Managing Director of International Operations, said:

Exports drive productivity and our Scottish economic performance.

Scottish Enterprise and our global Scottish Development International colleagues are committed to working with partners to support Scottish companies’ growth by selling their innovative products and services to overseas markets.

We have been pleased to help identify these latest Export Champions who we know will help encourage and inspire future Scottish businesses to trade internationally.

Each of the new Export Champions were selected by the Department for Business and Trade in partnership with SDI, with each having a successful track record of trading internationally and a desire to share their expertise with others.

One of the new Export Champions is Natalya Ratner, from educational technology company Robotical Ltd based in Leith. They developed a programmable robot called Marty, an educational tool that has now been sold to over 1,000 schools across 65 countries worldwide.

New Export Champion for Scotland, Natalya Ratner of Robotical Ltd said:

Exporting has made a huge difference to our company. Although we are very much a Scottish company, we were international from the start as it was the best area for growth.

We want more Scottish companies to become successful exporters, so I’m delighted to become an Export Champion. I’ll be really pushing the message on the importance of selling abroad and the growth it can bring to the other companies that I meet with.

Naysun Alae-Carew is another new appointee and is Managing Director of Glasgow-based Blazing Griffin, who specialise in video game development, film and TV and production and high-end post-production services.

With a growing team of 72 creative, digital and technology professionals, Blazing Griffin’s growth trajectory has been fuelled not only by a growing domestic market but also by their thriving exports business.

Managing Director of Blazing Griffin, Naysun Alae-Carew, said:

I’m honoured and excited to be appointed as an Export Champion. We look forward to sharing the insights and strategies that have driven our success with other Scottish companies and help them reach into new territories around the world.

We are staunch believers that Scotland has the potential to excel on the world stage without sacrificing its focus on domestic capabilities. It’s a great time to be part of a nation that is outward-facing, yet deeply committed to local development.

Dr Sharon Fitzgerald, a partner at law firm DLA Piper, has also been named as one of Scotland’s new Export Champions.

For years, DLA Piper has been exporting international best practice in legal services and project procurement, gained through working on major Scottish infrastructure projects such as the Queensferry Crossing.

Dr Sharon Fitzgerald, Partner at DLA Piper said:

I’m delighted to have been selected as an Export Champion for Scotland. At DLA Piper we have exported international best practice in legal services and project procurement to a range of different countries across the world. We’ve also supported our clients in a variety of sectors to do business internationally.

I want to share this experience with others. There are so many opportunities out there and I’m eager to see Scottish businesses make the most of these.

Each Export Champion will now work closely with both DBT and SDI, attending events and providing peer-to-peer exporting support to other businesses in their sector.

So far Export Champions in Scotland have appeared as panel members at the US Trade Dialogue held in Edinburgh in November last year, given presentations about the opportunities available to Scottish FinTech companies in North American markets, and provided feedback to DBT officials on the potential benefits of Free Trade Agreements.