Tag: Business and Trade Department

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 20 July 2023.

Millions of British workers will have more flexibility over where and when they work as the Flexible Working Bill achieves Royal Assent.

• Millions of British workers will have more flexibility over where and when they work as the Flexible Working Bill achieves Royal Assent.
• Workers will have the right to request flexible working from day one of a new job, with employers required to consider any requests and provide a reason before rejection.
• Follows a wave of wins for workers after a record National Minimum Wage uplift and boosts to employment protections for parents and unpaid carers.

Employees across the UK will be given even more flexibility over where and when they work, as the Employment Relations (Flexible Working) Bill receives Royal Assent.

Delivering on a 2019 Manifesto commitment to encourage flexible working, the Act will require employers to consider and discuss any requests made by their employee – who will have the right to two requests a year – within two months of a request, down from three.

Flexible working is a broad term and can relate to working hours or pattern including part-time, term-time, flexi-time, compressed hours, or adjusting start and finish times. It can also include flexibility over where someone works, whether that be from home or a satellite office shortening their commute.

As well as clear benefits to workers, the measures are also good for British business. Research has shown companies that embrace flexible working can attract more talent, improve staff motivation and reduce staff turnover – boosting their business’s productivity and competitiveness.

CIPD research shows that 6 percent of employees changed jobs last year specifically due to a lack of flexible options and 12 percent left their profession altogether due to a lack of flexibility within the sector. This represents almost 2 and 4 million workers respectively.

Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

A happier workforce means increased productivity, and that’s why we’re backing measures to give people across the UK even more flexibility over where and when they work.

Not only does flexible working help individuals fit work alongside other commitments – whether it’s the school drop off, studying or caring for vulnerable friends and family – it’s good business sense too, helping firms to attract more talent, increase retention and improve workforce diversity.

I want to thank Yasmin Qureshi MP, and all the campaigners who have helped make this Bill a reality and improved the lives of workers across the UK.

Workers will benefit from the following new protections once in force:

• New requirements for employers to consult with the employee before rejecting their flexible working request.
• Permission to make two statutory requests in any 12-month period (rather than the current one request).
• Reduced waiting times for decisions to be made(within which an employer administers the statutory request) from three months to two months.
• The removal of existing requirements that the employee must explain what effect, if any, the change applied for would have on the employer and how that effect might be dealt with.

Alongside the measures in the Bill, millions of workers will be given the right to request flexible working from day one of a new job. This will bring an estimated 2.2 million more employees in scope of the entitlement following a change in regulations.

The Government is also today launching a call for evidence on non-statutory flexible working to improve on knowledge of the extent of flexibility in the labour market. The aim is to increase understanding of the role of informal flexible working in meeting the needs of both employers and employees.

In response to this legislation, Acas will be updating its statutory Code of Practice following a consultation, which was launched on 12 July. The aim of the Code is to provide employers, employees and representatives with a clear explanation of the law on the statutory right to request flexible working, alongside good practice advice on handling requests in a reasonable manner.

Acas Chief Executive, Susan Clews, said:

There’s been a global shift and changed attitudes towards flexible working. It has allowed more people to better balance their working lives and employers have also benefitted from being an attractive place to work for staff that value flexibility.

Our new draft Code encourages employers to take a positive approach to flexible working and addresses all the new changes in the Act. We are keen to get views to ensure that it is clear and relevant for the modern workplace.

With new legislation coming into effect, charity Working Families—in partnership with the Government’s Flexible Working Taskforce and CIPD—is re-launching its ‘Happy to Talk Flexible Working’ strapline and logo to aid employers in realising the benefits of flexible working from the point of recruitment.

Working Families and the Taskforce have also developed new guidance for employers, outlining the business case for flexible working and offering step-by-step instructions for designing and advertising flexible roles that work for businesses. The initiative will give employers a head start in thinking about how all their roles can be done flexibly.

Chief Executive of Working Families, Jane van Zyl said:

There are millions of parents and carers in the UK who rely on flexible working to enter and stay in employment. It is no longer a perk; for many, it is a necessity. But flexible working isn’t just good for people–it’s also good for business, and good for the economy.

When employers implement flexible working effectively, they reap the benefits: from increased talent attraction and retention to better performance. We’re delighted to re-launch our Happy to Talk Flexible Working logo and strapline to support employers on their journey to creating high-performing, flexible workplaces.

Chief Executive of the CIPD and Chair of the Government’s Flexible Working Taskforce Peter Cheese said:

By using the tagline ‘Happy To Talk Flexible Working’ in job advertisements, employers can open up recruitment to wider talent pools and create fairer and more inclusive workplaces. This transparency supports workers to ask for flexibility and helps to normalise the conversation for all groups.

Many organisations are facing the dual challenges of skills shortages and talent retention issues and we know that offering flexible working can go a long way towards tackling these problems.

Flexible working practices can include options on the hours people work, their working patterns and their location, for example hybrid working. Employers that use a range of approaches can ensure flexible working provision is fair and available to all types of workers regardless of their job or sector.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 20 July 2023.

Government Bill to introduce Minimum Service Levels during industrial action receives Royal Assent

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 18 July 2023.

The UK and the Republic of Türkiye confirm their intention to begin talks towards a revised and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.

The United Kingdom and the Republic of Türkiye are significant and close trading partners. Both our countries are resolved to build upon this success and are today confirming their intention to begin talks towards a revised and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement.

The current trade agreement was signed in December 2020. It predominantly covers industrial goods and has provided continuity to businesses and safeguarding of supply chains following the UK’s departure from the European Union.

A review clause included in the current agreement committed the UK and Türkiye to reviewing the trade relationship. This work began last year with both partners concluding that there would be value in broadening and deepening the trade relationship. Officials have met as part of the UK-Türkiye Joint Committee to conclude this review and agreed to work towards an improved FTA.

Both countries acknowledge that it is more important than ever to support an open trading environment based on global trading rules that underpin mutual growth and prosperity. There is an opportunity to work towards a contemporary agreement that is fit for the 21st century and better suited to the modern economies of both the UK and Türkiye.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 18 July 2023.

The UK and Turkey agree to start talks on a new, modernised free trade deal.

The UK and Turkey have today [18 July] announced plans to begin talks on an updated free trade agreement (FTA).

The deal would replace the existing UK-Turkey FTA, which was rolled over from when the UK left the European Union and doesn’t cover key areas of the UK economy like services, digital and data. The UK is the second biggest services exporter in the world – behind only the US, and the services sector contributes around 80% of the UK’s GDP.

A new deal could boost trade and help UK companies maximise opportunities in this area, driving economic growth – one of the Prime Minister’s priorities.

The announcement follows a call between UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Turkish Minister for Trade Ömer Bolat last week, where they committed to negotiating a new deal and deepening the trade relationship between the two countries.

The UK-Turkey Joint Committee consisting of the UK’s Chief Negotiator and officials from both sides – responsible for overseeing implementation of the current agreement – will meet today in Ankara, Turkey’s capital city to formally conclude the review of the current agreement and move towards renegotiation of the Free Trade Agreement.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

Turkey is an important trading partner for the UK and this deal is the latest example of how we are using our status as an independent trading nation post-Brexit to negotiate deals that are tailored to the UK’s economic strengths.

I look forward to using the deal to deepen the UK-Turkey trading relationship, drive economic growth and support businesses up and down the country.

Turkey presents huge opportunities for British businesses, with UK companies already exporting to its growing market of 85 million people.

The new FTA is an opportunity to strike a 21st century deal that is better suited to the modern economies of both the UK and Turkey, covering areas such as digital trade and services.

It would build on an already thriving trading relationship which reached £23.5 billion in 2022 – up more than 30% from the previous year – and better support UK businesses exporting or looking to export to the country. A new FTA could also potentially lead to cheaper goods and more choice for UK consumers.

Later this month, Minister for Exports Lord Offord will be visiting Turkey where he will meet businesses and stakeholders to discuss with investment and export opportunities.

President of Airbus Türkiye, Simon Ward, said:

Airbus and Turkey have been long-term strategic partners for almost 40 years and Turkey is a partner on all Airbus aircraft programmes, including the prestigious A350.

Greater alignment on cross-border trade will improve competitiveness and provide opportunities for businesses across numerous sectors.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 16 July 2023.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch has formally signed the treaty to accede to the CPTPP trade group in New Zealand this morning.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 12 July 2023.

Minister for International Trade Nigel Huddleston welcomed the First Lady of Texas Cecilia Abbott and other key officials to celebrate the enduring partnership between the UK and Texas and discuss ways to bolster their strong economic relationship.

Minister Huddleston was pleased to welcome the First Lady of Texas, Cecilia Abbott, Texas Secretary of State, Jane Nelson, Vice Chair of the Texas Economic Development Corporation, Arun Agarwal and Executive Director of Texas Economic Development and Tourism, Adriana Cruz to the United Kingdom today, 11th July.

Minister Huddleston, the First Lady, Secretary Nelson, Vice Chair Agarwal and Executive Director Cruz celebrated the enduring bond between the United Kingdom and Texas, highlighting their longstanding, successful economic ties:

• The UK leads all nations for the number of foreign direct investment projects in Texas and is Texas’ ninth-largest trading partner (2022).
• Texas goods and services exports to the UK amounted to $15.8bn/ £12.8bn in 2022.
• UK goods exports to Texas amounted to $5.4bn/ £4.4bn in 2022.
• In the last decade, UK companies have made $5.6bn/ £4.4bn in capital investment through 337 projects in Texas, creating more than 15,100 jobs.

In the spirit of joint economic development and cooperation, Minister Huddleston and Executive Director Cruz agreed to accelerate discussions on the terms of a Statement of Mutual Cooperation (SMC) to strengthen trade and economic development ties between the United Kingdom and the State of Texas. This future-facing agreement, focused on the unique, diverse challenges of the 21st century, will aim to increase transatlantic trade and investment opportunities for companies both in the United Kingdom and Texas and build upon the strong existing trading relationship.

It is envisaged that the SMC will create a forum to identify and address any existing market access barriers for UK and Texas businesses, promote job creation, and focus on innovation, emerging technologies, and advancing shared policy goals, and more.

This SMC will seek to put in place arrangements for the Government of the United Kingdom and the State of Texas to ensure their trade and economic relationship continues to deliver benefits for the respective citizens of both parties.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 5 July 2023.

Minister Ghani has announced £12 million of funding for a cutting-edge new aerospace R&D project at Airbus Filton which will support local jobs.

• £12 million government-backed funding for groundbreaking aerospace R&D project at Airbus Filton set to upskill local staff – furthering one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities to grow the economy.
• Combined government and industry funding will develop new lower carbon aircraft wing technology – reducing CO2 emissions and fuel burn.
• Industry Minister announces package following visit to Airbus Filton to open new Wing Technology Development Centre to advance technology on next generation aircraft.

A new cutting-edge aerospace R&D project supporting highly-skilled jobs at Airbus Filton in the South West will benefit from £12 million in combined government and industry funding, Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani has announced today (5 July).

The project will develop new aircraft wing technology, in particular for longer aircraft wings, to reduce CO2 emissions from flights and will upskill local employees and apprentices in a range of roles, including technicians and engineers.

Longer wings make it easier for an aircraft to create lift without using as much fuel, helping to reduce CO2 emissions. The project will explore the technology for a folding mechanism for longer wings, so that they can be retracted and aircraft do not take up more space at airports as a result.

The funding will be delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme and was announced following Minister Ghani’s visit to Airbus Filton yesterday.

Minister Ghani also opened a new state-of-the-art Wing Technology Development Centre, which will house the next generation of aircraft wing technologies and production capabilities.

Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said:

Our world-class aerospace sector is helping us grow the economy and lead the way on greener air travel, and this new project at Airbus Filton will make sure the South West stays at the forefront of this innovation.

We’re backing our aerospace sector to soar, and projects like these are helping drive forward our goal of net zero air travel by 2050 and securing high-wage, high-skill jobs across the country in the process.

Around 2,700 staff work in high-skilled roles at Airbus Filton, which has established itself as the company’s lead UK site for civil aircraft R&D and develops some of the most exciting future technologies in aircraft wing design, fuel systems and landing gear.

The funding announced today builds on £218 million of support for cutting-edge UK aerospace research projects announced last month at the Paris Air Show, where Airbus also announced Indian airline IndiGo’s historic purchase of 500 Airbus A320-family aircraft.

This was the biggest single purchase by an airline in commercial aviation history and will be worth billions to the UK economy, with Airbus manufacturing almost all its aircraft wings in the UK.

The ATI funding announced also forms part of a joint commitment with industry to invest in new aircraft and manufacturing technologies set to help secure at least £20 billion of further private investment in the UK aerospace sector and support over 100,000 jobs across the country.

Yesterday, Minister Ghani also gave a keynote address at an event hosted by key suppliers to the UK aerospace industry and manufacturers of aircraft components, including GKN, Airbus, Spirit AeroSystems and many other smaller businesses.

In her speech, the Minister set out the Government’s commitment to backing more innovation and investment in UK aerospace to an audience of companies in the industry – including a range of aerospace SMEs – considering investing in the UK.

The event marked the first time that the UK’s leading manufacturers in the aerospace sector have come together to give a joint message on their plans for the future and ambitions to attract more investment into the UK.

Background:

• The Airbus-led project announced by Minister Ghani is named XWING BETA, and will use cutting-edge techniques and research to develop longer aircraft wing capabilities.
• The ATI Programme is a joint government and industry investment. Its purpose is to competitively offer funding for research and technology development in the UK, to maintain and grow the UK’s competitive position in civil aerospace and accelerate the transition to net zero aviation.
• The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has a well-developed approach to supporting the aerospace sector, including: £685 million of funding for the ATI Programme; the Aerospace Growth Partnership sector council which has developed the Destination Zero strategy for aerospace, a technology strategy developed by the ATI, and support for airline sales campaigns.
• Aircraft components are manufactured using advanced materials. The advanced materials industry contributes £14 billion to the UK economy annually. It is also crucial for achieving net zero targets, as innovation in advanced materials is hugely important for sustainable growth.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 20 June 2023.

Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani has announced more than £200 million in funding for cutting-edge UK aerospace projects at the 2023 Paris Air Show.

• Government announces £218 million of funding for groundbreaking R&D aerospace projects, supporting jobs and growth across the UK.
• Funding will help develop cutting-edge green aviation technology and grow UK’s share of the global aerospace market.
• Industry Minister announces package on first day of Paris Air Show – the world’s largest event for the civil aerospace sector.

Projects to help the UK lead the way on greener air travel and deliver on one of the Prime Minister’s five priorities to grow the economy, are to receive more than £200 million in funding, Industry Minister Nusrat Ghani has confirmed today [20 June].

A total of £218 million combined government and industry funding has been announced to develop new green innovative landing gear, and lower carbon and more efficient aircraft wings, engines and sensors.

The funding, being delivered through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme, will secure more high-skilled jobs and increase investment in aerospace technology across the UK.

The joint commitment with industry to invest in new aircraft and manufacturing technologies is set to help secure at least £20 billion of further private investment in aerospace in the UK and support over 100,000 jobs. This delivers on the Prime Minister’s commitment to grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.

Announcing the funding at the Paris Air Show, Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said:

We’re growing the economy and supporting high-skilled, high-wage careers across the UK by backing our world-leading sectors like aviation.

We want to achieve net zero air travel by 2050, and I want UK firms to lead the way developing the exciting technologies of the future. Backing our innovators will attract even more investment and create massive export opportunities for British firms.

Backed by the Government, the ATI funds world-class R&D in the UK aerospace sector, and this funding builds on £3.2 billion of ATI support from government and industry for the sector since 2013.

This support has backed over 300 innovative R&D projects and supported thousands of high-wage, green jobs, 90 percent of which are outside of London and the South East.

The cash injection will support ten groundbreaking new projects led by world-renowned companies including Airbus and Rolls-Royce. They will be delivered alongside over 40 UK-based partners, helping to develop greener, lower carbon and more efficient aircraft equipment such as engines, landing gear, wings and sensors.

Airbus UK Chairman and General Counsel John Harrison said:

The strong partnership we have with DBT and the ATI enables Airbus to develop new technologies that will help boost the skills we need to keep aerospace manufacturing in the UK.

Finding scalable solutions can’t be done alone so the ATI programme draws together UK industry leaders, academics and research organisations who are all making strides to bring our aircraft and industrial systems up to the level we need for a decarbonised future.

Alan Newby, Rolls-Royce Director Aerospace Technology and Future Programmes, said:

We greatly value the continued long-term partnership we have with both the Department for Business and Trade and the ATI, accelerating important research that improves our manufacturing processes and the performance of both our current and future products.

These projects will improve both our cost competitiveness and the product performance of our current and future engines, which is vital for meeting industry and Government Net Zero targets. This work will involve collaboration with a broad ecosystem of academic, research centres and SME partners across the UK that creates value across the country and helps us to reach our goals.

While at the Paris Air Show this week, Minister Ghani will be promoting the UK’s world-class aerospace sector – which contributed £10.9 billion to the economy in 2022 – to senior leaders of international companies, helping move towards the £20 billion investment commitment, and connecting UK firms at the show with international partners to boost export opportunities.

She will also encourage greater investment in the UK’s aerospace sector, promoting the ATI Programme – which has a budget of £685 million between 2022-2025 – and the UK sector’s world-class R&D offer on the global stage at the Air Show.

Gary Elliott, CEO of the Aerospace Technology Institute said:

The investment through the ATI Programme that the Minister has announced today will support a range of world-class research projects in technologies to improve the sustainability of aerospace, from new design processes to new materials.

The ATI is proud to join the Minister at the Paris Air Show to showcase the best of UK innovation and technology to a global audience.

Between 2014-2025, government and industry is expected to co-invest £4 billion in the aerospace sector, developing new ultra-efficient and zero emission aircraft technologies.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 June 2023.

Round ten of negotiations for a free trade agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of India.

On 9 June 2023, the United Kingdom and the Republic of India concluded the tenth round of talks for an UK-India FTA.

As with previous rounds, this was conducted in a hybrid fashion – a number of UK officials travelled to New Delhi for negotiations and others attended virtually.

Technical discussions were held across 10 policy areas over 50 separate sessions. They included detailed draft treaty text discussions in these policy areas.

The eleventh round of negotiations is due to take place in the coming month.

The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 19 June 2023.

There will be top-up payments to postmasters under the Historic Shortfall Scheme (HSS).