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Tag: Business and Trade Department

  • PRESS RELEASE : Business and Trade Department marks 100-day milestone [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Business and Trade Department marks 100-day milestone [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 17 May 2023.

    Today (Wednesday 17 May) marks the 100th day since the formation of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

    Created by the Prime Minister on the 7th February, DBT combines previously existing government business (BEIS) and international trade (DIT) departments to create a single entity to deliver on the government’s priority to grow the economy by supporting British businesses at home and abroad, promoting investment and championing free trade.

    Since its inception, the Department has had several triumphs, most notably the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) in April, set to have a combined GDP of £12 trillion once the UK joins. The UK’s accession will place the UK alongside some of the fastest growing economies in the world, support jobs and create opportunities for companies of all sizes and in all parts of the country.

    Just this week, Secretary of State Kemi Badenoch also launched negotiations on a new UK-Switzerland free trade agreement to boost trade and lower tariffs on UK exports to Switzerland, which could reduce annual duties for UK businesses by around £7.4 million. A refresh of our trading relationship will benefit more than 14,000 UK businesses which already export goods to Switzerland, 86% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by creating simpler trade rules for products of origin, customs procedures and digitisation.

    In March, the Secretary of State also signed a pivotal digital trade deal with Ukraine that will support Ukraine’s economy and greatly enhance our bilateral trade and investment relationship. It means Ukraine will have guaranteed access to the financial services crucial for reconstruction efforts through the deal’s facilitation of cross-border data flows. Ukrainian businesses will also be able to trade more efficiently and cheaply with the UK through electronic transactions, e-signatures, and e-contracts.

    On the business side, the Department launched the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill which ensures businesses and consumers are protected from rip-offs and subscription traps and can reap the full benefits of the digital economy. We also increased the National Living and Minimum Wages from April 1, putting more money in the pockets of 2.9 million of the lowest-paid workers across the country.

    Ministers joined over 200 of the UK’s highest profile CEOs and business leaders at the first ever Business Connect conference, aimed at unlocking innovation and growing the economy.

    Secretary of State for Business and Trade Kemi Badenoch said:

    I’m proud of the great work the department has achieved in such a short time. I want DBT to be an office for economic growth, working with businesses to ensure they are seizing the opportunities we are generating at home and abroad.

    In line with the Prime Minister’s economic priorities, we will continue to help grow the economy and enable firms to create better-paid jobs across the country by removing barriers to businesses, growing UK exports to reach £1 trillion a year by 2030, and promoting the UK as the number one investment destination in Europe.

    The Secretary of State also showed her support for the UK’s steel industry by visiting British Steel in Scunthorpe and Port Talbot’s steelworks, as steelmakers across the country make changes to cut their carbon emissions.

    In the investment space, DBT support helped Airbus and Rolls-Royce to secure one of the largest deals in aviation history with Air India, worth billions of pounds to the UK and creating 450 new manufacturing jobs in Wales.

    And in support of UK exporters, Trade Minister Nigel Huddleston signed a state-level trade Memorandum of Understanding with Oklahoma which seeks to boost the £174 million worth of Oklahoma goods imports from UK in 2022 and generate more jobs for exporters, following similar agreements with North Carolina and Indiana.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK – Switzerland Joint Statement on Trade [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK – Switzerland Joint Statement on Trade [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 15 May 2023.

    The UK and Switzerland issue a joint statement to kickstart negotiations on a modern free trade agreement.

    Switzerland and the United Kingdom are pleased to announce the start of negotiations for an enhanced Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between our countries. Building on the long history of close relations and shared values of our two countries, the enhanced FTA will improve on the arrangements in our current Trade Agreement signed in February 2019.

    Negotiations present an opportunity to deepen and strengthen the important and valuable UK-Switzerland trade relationship for the benefit of a more prosperous future for two like-minded European nations.

    Switzerland and the United Kingdom are both committed to achieving an ambitious agreement which reflects the 21st Century trading environment and delivers commercially meaningful opportunities in services and goods. A modern, comprehensive FTA will strengthen commitments to trade in areas including services, intellectual property rights, investment flows and digital trade, all of which are not included in our current agreement.

    A new FTA will provide long-term legal certainty for business. It will enhance our Trade Agreement from 2019 and build on recent successes in our bilateral trading relations such as the extended Services Mobility Agreement and the Mutual Recognition Agreement in relation to Conformity Assessment, agreed last year. It will also reflect and complement our ongoing dialogues and areas of collaboration. It will further strengthen economic relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom and provide an excellent basis for future cooperation opportunities, particularly on areas where both our countries are mutual leaders such as innovative research and development.

    Switzerland’s and the United Kingdom’s negotiation teams have been instructed to hold the first official round of negotiations in London this May, and a second round in the autumn. This will enable significant progress towards our ambition to agree a new Free Trade Agreement.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK to launch talks with Switzerland on new trade deal [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK to launch talks with Switzerland on new trade deal [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 15 May 2023.

    UK Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, launches negotiations for a modern, updated free trade agreement with Switzerland.

    • UK kickstarts negotiations on a modern free trade agreement with Switzerland
    • Switzerland is the UK’s 10th largest trade partner, with trade worth almost £53 billion
    • New deal will reinforce UK’s reputation as a services superpower, after a record high for services exports in 2022

    Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch today [15 May] flies to Switzerland to launch negotiations on a new UK-Switzerland free trade agreement (FTA) to boost trade between the two services superpowers.

    Switzerland is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and the UK’s 10th largest trading partner. The two countries are among the world’s leading service economies, exporting almost £15 billion worth of services including financial, professional, legal, and architecture every year.

    The current UK-Switzerland FTA is based on an EU-Swiss deal from more than 50 years ago – before the advent of the home computer or the internet – and does not cover services, investment, digital or data. With most of the UK’s services exports to Switzerland delivered electronically – almost 69% in 2020 – both sides are keen to rectify this in upcoming talks.

    Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said:

    As two of the world’s leading service economies, there’s a huge prize on offer to both the UK and Switzerland by updating our trading relationship to reflect the strength of our companies working in areas ranging from finance and legal, to accountancy and architecture.

    The UK and Switzerland are natural trading partners and today’s launch will play to our strengths as services superpowers, while also boosting investment in emerging technologies, data innovation, and digital trade.

    ONS figures published earlier this year showed UK services exports reaching record highs in 2022, totalling £397 billion – an increase of 20% compared to 2021 in current prices.

    The Business and Trade Secretary will launch talks on the new, modernised deal with her counterpart Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin in Bern, the country’s capital city.

    During her visit, Badenoch will also go to SIX, the operator of the Swiss Exchange, Europe’s 3rd biggest stock exchange and one of the industry’s most respected post-trade service providers.

    Whilst at SIX she will visit the innovation accelerator Tenity where she will meet startups already operational in the UK including Enterprise Bot, Xworks, SmartPurse and Jrny.

    A refresh of our trading relationship with Switzerland will add to the UK’s growing armoury of powerful service-focused deals by removing remaining market access barriers, improving regulatory cooperation and enabling UK firms to compete on an equal footing in Switzerland, now and in the future.

    Switzerland’s demand for imports is expected to grow in real terms by 78% by 2050. The new deal could lower tariffs on UK exports to Switzerland, which could reduce annual duties for UK businesses by around £7.4 million.

    It will also benefit the more than 14,000 UK businesses which already export goods to Switzerland, 86% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), by creating simpler trade rules for products of origin, customs procedures and digitisation.

    CEO of SIX, Jos Dijsselhof, said:

    The new UK-Switzerland free trade agreement’s shared ambition hold also great importance for the financial sector, fostering cooperation, trade, and mobility.

    SIX welcomes this move, supporting open and international capital markets, promoting healthy exchange and competition between the two major financial centres in Switzerland and the UK.

    Switzerland is a key investment partner to the UK with the total stock of Swiss foreign direct investment in sectors such as textiles, chemicals, manufacturing and financial services worth £74 billion in 2021, while UK investment into Switzerland was worth £52 billion. A new FTA would look to boost this even further, helping facilitate more investment by Swiss companies into communities around the UK and seeking preferential terms for UK investors in Switzerland.

    Policy Chairman of the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said:

    The UK and Switzerland are the two largest financial centres in Europe which means strengthening our services trade relationship is a top priority for the sector. An enhanced trade agreement would address key cross-cutting issues including mobility, data flows and digital trade to the benefit of both jurisdictions.

    Negotiating a new free trade deal with Switzerland along with a ground-breaking mutual recognition agreement in financial services presents a unique opportunity to set a new paradigm for services trade, and would provide a template for the UK’s future trading relationships.

    Alexander Dennis Fleet Sales Director, Matthew Lawrence, said:

    We’re the world’s leading manufacturer of double-deck buses and bus companies in Switzerland and we supplied Swiss national operator PostAuto with a fleet of low-emissions Alexander Dennis double decker buses.

    A free-trade agreement between the UK and Switzerland would benefit us and our Swiss customers in streamlining the supply of spare parts, while also opening up business opportunities for further British-built buses.

    Executive Director of International Policy, Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry, Claire Machin, said:

    Negotiation of an Enhanced Trade Agreement between the UK and Switzerland provides a pivotal opportunity for a world-leading agreement between two life science superpowers.

    Prioritisation of life sciences in negotiations could help to boost the growth of our two innovation-intensive economies and set world-leading standards to encourage the creation and adoption of the next wave of scientific technologies.

    During her visit to Switzerland, Badenoch will also meet with leading female business leaders at Advance, a network of close to 140 Swiss companies committed to increasing the share of women in management in Switzerland.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Smarter regulation unveiled to cut red tape and grow the economy [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Smarter regulation unveiled to cut red tape and grow the economy [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 10 May 2023.

    Initial package of regulatory reform will reduce unnecessary regulation for businesses, cutting costs and allowing them to compete.

    • Reducing burdensome red tape and tailoring rules to suit the UK economy could save employers around £1 billion a year
    • First of a series of announcements taking advantage of the UK’s post-Brexit regulatory freedoms, delivering on our promise to grow the economy

    The first dynamic package of deregulatory reforms to grow the economy, cut costs for businesses and support consumers was unveiled today.

    Taking advantage of post-Brexit freedoms, the Government will remove unnecessary red tape and regulatory burdens, ensuring rules and regulation for British businesses is proportionate and takes into consideration wider impacts on consumers, innovation and competition – as well as direct costs.

    Today’s package is the first of a series of deregulation announcements expected this year and is focused on delivering benefits to business. The reduced reporting requirements could save employers over £1 billion per year.

    This will help to deliver on the Government’s priority to grow the economy and is a down payment on the UK’s ambition to have one of the most innovative and agile regulatory regimes in the world.

    Today’s package includes:

    • Reducing the business burden. We will reduce time-consuming and disproportionate reporting requirements for specific elements of the Working Time Regulations, while retaining the 48-hour week requirement and upholding our world leading employment standards. This could save employers around £1bn a year. We are also simplifying regulations that apply when a business transfers to a new owner.
    • Ensuring regulation is, by default, the last rather than first response of Government by reforming the Better Regulation Framework. The new, smarter framework will ensure future regulation of our changing economy is streamlined, minimises business burdens, and puts forward-looking regulation at the heart of Government decisions.
    • Improving regulators’ focus on economic growth by ensuring regulatory action is taken only when it is needed, and any action take is proportionate. Following Professor Dame Angela McLean’s review of the regulators’ Growth Duty, the government intends to consult on refreshed guidance on how regulators deliver their growth duties. The government will also consider the merits of commencing statutory reporting and how best to promote growth with utilities regulators, who are currently not in scope of the Growth Duty.
    • Promoting competition and productivity in the workplace by limiting the length of non-compete clauses to three months, providing more flexibility for up to 5 million UK workers to join a competitor or start up a rival business after they have left a position. The change will also provide a boost to the wider UK economy, supporting employers to grow their businesses and increase productivity by widening the talent pool and improving the quality of candidates they can hire.
    • Stimulating innovation, investment and growth by announcing two strategic policy statements to steer our regulators. We are today publishing the first of these statements for consultation, on energy policy, which will be followed soon after by the Government’s strategic steer to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

    Over the past few decades, we have seen a build-up of regulation in every aspect of our lives. Businesses have faced hundreds of new rules, costing time and money to read and comply with thousands of pages of regulations.

    These rules make it more expensive and harder for startups to enter the market or to scale up and grow. They have reduced competition, raised prices and reduced innovation, leaving consumers worse off and UK firms less competitive in global markets.

    Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch said:

    I have listened to the concerns of business of all sizes and have made it a priority to tackle the red tape that holds back UK firms, reduces their competitiveness in global markets and hampers their growth.

    We are taking back control of our laws after Brexit, reducing and improving regulation and giving businesses the freedom to do what they do best – sell innovative products, create jobs and grow the economy.

    Tina McKenzie, Policy Chair of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) said:

    For years and under all Governments, well-meaning Ministers have reached to create new regulations in response to issues.  This is then repeated under the next set of Ministers – leaving us with a high cumulative burden for business to deal with.

    We are pleased to see a change of approach here, moving away from regulation as a first resort, alongside a reduction in administrative requirements that divert time away from running a business, and more of a focus for regulators on stimulating economic growth.

    We’ve already taken advantage of our new status as a sovereign and independent nation. Among other things, we have set our own tariff regime via the UK Global Tariff to cut tariffs so we can reduce prices for UK consumers; we’ve introduced the UKCA marking to improve goods regulation and we will pass the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill to set a new, less burdensome approach than the GDPR.

    Our Edinburgh Reforms of UK financial services include over 30 regulatory reforms to unlock investment and turbocharge growth in towns and cities across the UK.

    Our Retained EU Law Bill, which is currently passing through parliament, will end the special status of retained EU law (REUL) by the end of 2023 ensuring that, for the first time in a generation, the UK’s statute book will not include reference to the supremacy of EU law or EU legal principles.

    We have the unique opportunity to look again at these regulations and decide if they’re right for our economy, if we can scrap them, or if we can reform and improve them and help spur economic growth.

    To ensure that Government can focus on delivering more reform of REUL, to a faster timetable, we are amending the REUL Bill to be clear which laws we intend to revoke at the end of this year. This will also provide certainty to business by making clear which regulations will be removed from our statute book.

    We will retain the powers that allow us to continue to amend EU laws, so more complex regulation can still be revoked or reformed after proper assessment and consultation.

    The reforms we are announcing today are not just for central Government, we will also provide a clear signal to our regulators that driving innovation, investment and growth should be at the heart of what our regulators do.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Joint outcome statement – UK-India round nine FTA negotiations [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Joint outcome statement – UK-India round nine FTA negotiations [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 10 May 2023.

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

    In continuation of the eighth round of negotiations held during 20-31 March 2023 in new Delhi, the United Kingdom and the Republic of India held the ninth round of talks during 24-28 April for a UK-India FTA.

    As with previous rounds, these were conducted in a hybrid fashion – a number of officials from India travelled to London and others attended virtually.

    During the round, detailed discussions took place across a range of policy areas.

    The tenth round of negotiations is due to take place in the coming months.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Blue lights, green energy – £77 million for new zero-emission vehicle projects [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Blue lights, green energy – £77 million for new zero-emission vehicle projects [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 9 May 2023.

    The schemes will support more than 4,400 jobs across the UK over the next decade, from Bath to Ballymena.

    • More than £77 million in joint Government and industry funding to develop zero-emission vehicles including fire engines and ambulances
    • Projects expected to support more than 4,400 jobs across the UK over the next decade, delivering the government’s priority to grow the UK economy
    • Innovations in clean engine technology, for zero-emission buses and to overhaul EV factory productivity also get backing

    Life-saving emergency services will benefit from greener zero-emission vehicles, thanks to £77 million in new funding for projects developing clean transport technologies, announced today.

    The HYER POWER project, to develop a hydrogen fuel-cell range extender for specialist electric vehicles in demanding roles like fire engines and ambulances, is just one of seven pieces of work across the UK that are getting joint Government and industry backing.

    The schemes, which range from work on battery-powered buses, to a hydrogen-powered version of the iconic Ford Transit van, will support more than 4,400 jobs across the UK over the next decade, from Bath to Ballymena.

    Investing in the development of cutting-edge technologies in key industries will help deliver on the government’s priority to grow the UK economy.

    Industry and Economic Security Minister Nusrat Ghani said:

    Zero-emission cars, vans and taxis are increasingly common, but this cutting-edge work is going to mean clean, green vehicles designed and built in the UK can increasingly take on the toughest jobs too, from life-saving emergency services, to haulage and public transport.

    Our automotive industry keeps setting the pace globally and seizing the potential of new technologies. Today’s multi-million-pound boost will help them stay ahead of international competition, while delivering on our priority to grow the economy and support high-quality jobs.

    The funding has been awarded through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) Collaborative Research and Development programme, in support of ambitions to build an end-to-end supply chain for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the UK. £38.4 million of this investment comes from Government, backed by a further £38.7 million from the automobile industry – taking today’s total to just over £77 million.

    Joint government and industry funding winners are:

    • HYER POWER – ULEMCO Ltd £7.9 million backing to develop a hydrogen fuel cell range extender for electric vehicles used for specialised and challenging purposes, such as ambulances, fire engines and street sweepers.
    • HEIDI – Bramble Energy Ltd £12.7 million for work to demonstrate a novel fuel cell/battery hybrid powertrain on a double-decker bus, that will be cheaper than the equivalents currently available for large vehicles.
    • FCVGEN2.0 – Ford Motor Company Ltd £16.3 million awarded to design and develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of the Ford Transit van, which will initially be produced at Ford Dagenham.
    • NEXTGENZEBS – Wrightbus £12.7 million backing for new, market-leading technology to underpin battery and fuel cell electric buses.
    • EleVAIT – JLR Receiving £12.6 million to design and develop technology for inverters – a key component in electric vehicles, supporting the continued growth of a UK-based electric vehicle supply chain.
    • CAVENDISH – BorgWarner Awarded £9.8 million for work to speed up the rollout of hydrogen-burning internal combustion engines, as an alternative to diesel, for use in heavy-duty settings.
    • ZETTA – Leyland Trucks Ltd A £5.1 million investment. By better use of automation and advanced testing, Leyland Trucks aim to increase productivity and step up their production of battery electric trucks.

    Chief Executive at the APC Ian Constance said:

    Investment into these seven collaborative projects continues the work that the UK does very well. Research and development, building the automotive supply chain, pushing the boundaries of clean technology for the road, whilst securing jobs across the country. I’m pleased to have well-known brand names among this £77 million funding round through the APC, as well as innovative SMEs bringing through exciting new developments.

    Today’s announcement comes on top of funding also being invested by the government through the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) to develop a high-value end-to-end electrified automotive supply chain in the UK.

    This includes unlocking private investment in gigafactories, battery material supply chains, motors, power electronics, and fuel cell systems. The ATF is being delivered by the Department for Business and Trade in partnership with the APC.

    The government has committed a record £211 million to battery research and innovation through the Faraday Battery Challenge, to help the sector deliver 100,000 jobs in battery gigafactories and the battery supply chain by 2040. The funding will be delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) with support from the Faraday Institution, Innovate UK and the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC).

    The UK Hydrogen Strategy sets out how government, working with industry, is aiming to develop 10GW of hydrogen production capacity by 2030, for use across the economy. This forms a part of the British energy security strategy for delivering secure, clean and affordable British energy for the long term.

    Background

    EleVAIT – JLR

    £6.3 million awarded by government, matched by industry to a total £12.6 million. This research project will explore and develop technology for inverters – a key component in electric vehicles. As well as developing a best-in-class product, this work will support the growth of a UK supply chain in components for electric vehicles.

    Project partners include: University of Bristol, Customer Interconnect Ltd, API Capacitors Ltd

    Jobs created or safeguarded: 1,258

    CO² savings: 55,000 tonnes

    FCVGEN2.0 – Ford Motor Company Ltd

    £8 million awarded by government, matched by industry to a total £16.3 million. This project will design and develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of the Ford Transit van, with the Ford Dagenham engine factory to be re-purposed for initial production of the vehicle. By bringing the manufacturer, vehicle operator and supply chain businesses together, this project aims to establish a business case for the wider rollout of hydrogen Light Commercial Vehicles.

    Project partners include: Ocado, BP, Cygnet Texkimp, Cambustion, Vrititech

    Jobs created or safeguarded: 167

    CO² savings: 4.1m tonnes

    NEXTGENZEBS – Wrightbus

    £6.4 million awarded by government, matched by industry to a total £12.7 million. This project will produce a new, market-leading platform for battery and fuel cell electric driven buses. Whilst demand is growing for zero-emission vehicles, there are currently few options available for heavy, multi-axle vehicles like large buses.

    Project partners include: Queens University Belfast, Grayson Thermal Systems, Hutchinson Engineering, Translink

    Jobs created or safeguarded: 883

    CO² savings: 3.4m tonnes

    CAVENDISH – BorgWarner

    £4.9 million awarded by government, matched by industry to a total £9.8 million. This project aims to speed up the rollout of hydrogen-burning internal combustion engines, as an alternative to diesel. Project Cavendish will develop new fuel and air management systems, so that existing heavy duty diesel technologies can be repurposed to use hydrogen as fuel.

    Project partners include: Mahle, Cambustion, Hartridge

    Jobs created or safeguarded: 513

    CO² savings: 31.6m tonnes

    ZETTA – Leyland Trucks Ltd

    £2.6 million awarded by government, matched by industry to a total £5.1 million. By better use of automation and advanced testing, Leyland Trucks aim to increase productivity and step up their production of battery electric trucks. A ‘digital twin’ of the Leyland production line will be set up, meaning any changes can be run in simulation before being rolled out physically.

    Project partners include: Expert Tooling, HSSMI

    Jobs created or safeguarded: 439

    CO² savings: 12m tonnes

    HYER POWER – ULEMCO Ltd

    £3.9 million awarded by government, matched by industry to a total £7.9 million. This project will develop a hydrogen fuel cell range extender for electric vehicles used for special purposes, such as ambulances, fire engines and street sweepers. The zero-emission range extender will be based on existing, proven technology from the Toyota Mirai, and demonstrate how zero emission vehicles can be used in a wide range of specialised and challenging settings.

    Project partners include: Altair Engineering, Emergency One, Technical Services Ltd, Oxon Fire & Rescue Services

    Jobs created or safeguarded: 682

    CO² savings: 1.1m tonnes

    HEIDI – Bramble Energy Ltd

    £6.3 million awarded by government, matched by industry to a total £12.7 million. This project will demonstrate a fuel cell/battery hybrid powertrain on a double-decker bus. This novel product will be cheaper than the equivalents currently available for large vehicles like buses, and uses innovative new electronics and energy recovery technologies.

    Project partners include: University of Bath, Equipmake, Aeristech

    Jobs created or safeguarded: 498

    CO² savings: 5.9m tonnes

    About the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK

    The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) collaborates with UK government, the automotive industry and academia to accelerate the industrialisation of technologies, supporting the transition to deliver net-zero emission vehicles.

    Since its foundation in 2013, APC has funded 199 low-carbon projects involving 450 partners, working with companies of all sizes, and will have helped to create or safeguard over 55,000 jobs in the UK. The technologies developed in these projects are projected to save over 350 million tonnes of CO² , the equivalent of removing the lifetime emissions from 14.1 million cars.

    With its deep sector expertise and cutting-edge knowledge of new propulsion technologies, APC’s role in building and advising project consortia helps projects start more quickly and deliver increased value. In the longer term, its work to drive innovation and encourage collaboration is building the foundations for a successful and sustainable UK automotive industry.

    In 2019 the UK government committed the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) to accelerate the development of a net-zero vehicle supply chain, enabling UK-based manufacturers to serve global markets. ATF investments are awarded through the APC to support strategically important UK capital and R&D investments that will enable companies involved in batteries, motors and drives, power electronics, fuel cells, and associated supply chains to anchor their future.

    For more information please visit the APC website or follow @theapcuk on Twitter and Advanced Propulsion Centre UK on LinkedIn.

  • PRESS RELEASE : UK appoints new HM Trade Commissioner to lead UK-South Asia trade and investment relationship [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : UK appoints new HM Trade Commissioner to lead UK-South Asia trade and investment relationship [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 3 May 2023.

    The UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade has appointed Harjinder Kang as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) to South Asia.

    • Harjinder Kang appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) to South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India
    • With an economy worth over £3.2 trillion, South Asia offers huge potential for UK businesses
    • Kang joins team of nine HM Trade Commissioners encouraging UK trade and investment and promoting Global Britain across the world

    Harjinder Kang has today [May 3] been appointed as His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner (HMTC) to South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, succeeding Alan Gemmell OBE.

    HMTCs lead the UK’s overseas effort to promote UK trade, investment, trade policy and export finance.

    As the new Trade Commissioner for South Asia, Harjinder will generate business opportunities for the UK while contributing to the growth of sustainable, resilient, and productive economies across the South Asia region.

    Prior to his promotion to HMTC, Harjinder was the UK’s Chief Negotiator for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement. He will be succeeded in this role by Kate Thornley, previously Deputy Chief Negotiator.

    In his new position, Harjinder will play a pivotal role in supporting the implementation of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which could bring huge opportunities for UK businesses.

    Before joining the Department for Business and Trade, Harjinder spent nearly 30 years at AstraZeneca, later becoming the Global Commercial Director, focusing on creating affordable solutions for pharmaceutical access in less developed regions. He is also a member of the Council of the University of Birmingham.

    Business and Trade Secretary, Kemi Badenoch, said:

    I am delighted to welcome Harjinder to this role. He has been an integral part of our India trade deal negotiating team and I’m confident he will use that experience to build on our outstanding track record on trade in South Asia, expanding opportunities for British businesses in untapped markets.

    With an economy worth over £3.2 trillion and a growing population, a flourishing trade and investment relationship with South Asia holds vast potential for UK businesses and consumers.

    HM Trade Commissioner for South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, Harjinder Kang, said:

    It is an honour to be appointed as Trade Commissioner for South Asia and Deputy High Commissioner for Western India, both vibrant and growing regions which are pivotal to the UK’s security and prosperity.

    I am deeply committed to fostering strong relationships between the UK and South Asia and am excited about the opportunities ahead as we strengthen our economic ties and forge new partnerships in the region to create jobs, promote innovation and drive economic growth at home and abroad.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Millions to take home more cash as new law on Tipping passes [May 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Millions to take home more cash as new law on Tipping passes [May 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 2 May 2023.

    Withholding tips from staff becomes unlawful as the Tipping Bill achieves Royal Assent, with more than 2 million workers to have their tips protected.

    • Withholding tips from staff becomes unlawful as Tipping Bill achieves Royal Assent.
    • More than 2 million workers will have their tips protected and be able to view an employer’s tipping record.
    • An estimated £200 million a year will go back into the pockets of hard-working staff by retaining tips that would have otherwise been deducted.

    Millions of UK workers will take home an estimated £200 million more of their hard-earned cash, as employers are banned from withholding tips under the Employment (Allocation of Tips) Act 2023, which today (Tuesday 2 May) received Royal Assent.

    Many hospitality workers rely on tips to top up their pay and are often left powerless if businesses don’t pass on service charges from customers to their staff.

    This Bill makes it unlawful for businesses to hold back service charges from their employees, ensuring staff receive the tips they have earned. The measures are expected to come into force in 2024, following a consultation and secondary legislation.

    This overhaul of tipping practices is set to benefit more than 2 million UK workers across the hospitality, leisure and services sectors helping to ease cost of living pressures and give them peace of mind that they will keep their hard-earned money.

    Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

    As people face rising living costs, it is not right for employers to withhold tips from their hard-working employees.

    Whether you are pulling pints or delivering a pizza, this new law will ensure that staff receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work – and it means customers can be confident their money is going to those who deserve it.

    I want to thank Dean Russell MP, Virginia Crosbie MP and all the campaigners who have helped make the Tipping Bill a reality and improved the lives of workers across the UK.

    Dean Russell, Conservative MP for Watford, said:

    I am very pleased that my Tips Bill has received Royal Assent. Hard working people working in hospitality in Watford and across the country will be able to retain their tips, knowing that they will now have a fair deal.

    I have always had reservations that some employers kept tips which were earnt by their staff. This new law will stop this immediately and will ensure that the tips are given to the individual staff member, or team.

    I would like to pass on my sincere thanks to every business and individual who has been in touch to share their support for my Bill.

    Virginia Crosbie, Conservative MP for Ynys Môn, said:

    I am pleased this bill is now law. Driving it forward was all about fairness for workers and for those who give tips for good service. It was never right that a minority of companies could pocket tips when the public wanted them to go to the person who served them or made their food.

    The law will now boost wages for what are often lower paid jobs and not boost company profits at the expense of hard-working staff. But it is also about valuing the people who do important jobs in our economy, especially in tourist areas like Anglesey, and I am proud to have played my part.

    Through the Act, a new statutory Code of Practice will be developed to provide businesses and staff with advice on how tips should be distributed. On top of this, workers will receive a new right to request more information relating to an employer’s tipping record, enabling them to bring forward a credible claim to an employment tribunal.

    UK Hospitality Chief Executive, Kate Nicholls, said:

    Fantastic hospitality experiences don’t happen without a huge effort from our teams, both front and back of house, and tips are a generous way of customers showing their gratitude, while providing a welcome boost to employees’ earnings. Tips are just one part of what makes working in hospitality a great job and career.

    We’re pleased to support this new piece of legislation as it comes into law today and look forward to working with Government and other stakeholders on a code of practice that ensures a fair distribution of gratuities amongst all who contribute to providing great hospitality.

    Today’s Royal Assent follows a range of government action to support people with the cost of living and help those on lower incomes keep more of what they earn, whilst delivering on the government’s priority to halve inflation. Most notably, last month the National Living Wage increased by 9.7 percent, keeping the government on track to achieve its manifesto commitment for the National Living Wage to equal two-thirds of median earnings by 2024, provided economic conditions allow.

    Further recent government action to support households with the cost of living includes extending the Energy Price Guarantee at its current level for another two months, which keeps energy bills at £2,500 for a typical household until the end of June. We have also extended the freeze on fuel duty, saving the average car driver in the UK £100 over the next year.

  • PRESS RELEASE : New Bill to crack down on rip-offs, protect consumer cash online and boost competition in digital markets [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : New Bill to crack down on rip-offs, protect consumer cash online and boost competition in digital markets [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 25 April 2023.

    New powers unveiled aimed at boosting competition, clamping down on subscription traps and fake reviews.

    • New powers aimed at boosting competition in digital markets currently dominated by a small number of firms
    • Clamping down on subscription traps that cost consumers £1.6bn a year, making it easier for consumers to opt out
    • Tackling fake reviews so customers aren’t cheated by bogus ratings

    New legislation will today (25 April) be introduced to ensure businesses and consumers are protected from rip-offs and can reap the full benefits of the digital economy with confidence.

    Fake reviews that cheat customers, subscription traps that cost more than a billion pounds a year and new powers for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to tackle businesses that breach consumer rights law are all elements of today’s far-reaching Bill.

    In competitive markets, firms strive to give consumers the best products, most choice, and lowest possible prices. The Bill will provide the CMA with stronger tools to investigate competition problems and take faster, more effective action, including where companies collude to bump-up prices at the expense of UK consumers.

    The CMA will be able to directly enforce consumer law rather than go through lengthy court processes. The reforms will also heighten the consequences for wrongdoers as the CMA and the courts will have the power to impose penalties of up to 10% of global turnover for breaching consumer law.

    Today’s Bill will also enable the Government to ban the practice of facilitating fake reviews or advertising consumer reviews without taking reasonable steps to check they are genuine. New rules will ensure consumers can exit subscriptions in a straightforward, cost-effective, and timely way and require that businesses issue a reminder to consumers when a free trial or introductory offer is coming to an end.

    This will help deliver one of the Government’s five priorities to grow the economy by increasing consumer choice and confidence in the products they buy and services they use.

    Business and Trade Minister Kevin Hollinrake said:

    Smartphones and online shopping have profoundly changed the landscape for businesses, consumers and the foundations of a modern thriving economy, which now lie in strong consumer choice, confidence and competition.

    From abuse of power by tech giants, to fake reviews, scams and rip-offs like being caught in a subscription trap – consumers deserve better. The new laws we’re delivering today will empower the CMA to directly enforce consumer law, strengthen competition in digital markets and ensure that people across the country keep hold of their hard-earned cash.

    As part of the Bill, a Digital Markets Unit (DMU) within the CMA will be given new powers to tackle the excessive dominance that a small number of tech companies have held over consumers and businesses in the UK. This market dominance has stifled innovation and growth across the economy, holding back start-ups and smaller firms from accessing markets and consumers.

    The government’s new digital regime will give the DMU powers to ensure that businesses and consumers are not unfairly disadvantaged by the biggest players, allowing them access to dynamic and thriving digital markets that will ultimately support our economy to grow. If a firm is deemed to have strategic market status in key digital services, the DMU will be able to step in to set tailored rules on how they behave and operate.

    For example, the biggest tech firms may be instructed by the DMU to provide more choice and transparency to their customers. If firms don’t abide by these rules, the DMU will have the power to fine them up to 10% of their global turnover.

    The DMU will also be able to tackle the root causes of competition issues in digital markets by carrying out targeted interventions, opening up new paths for start-ups or smaller firms that have previously struggled to grow and compete in these markets.

    Firms may be told to give customers greater flexibility when purchasing products online and to break down restrictive technical barriers that block users from using products on different devices and systems. The new regime will drive innovation across the entire economy, maintain and further the UK as an attractive tech destination for international investment, and make the digital economy a fairer place for businesses and customers.

    Paul Scully, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy said:

    Today’s announcement shows we are proudly pro-growth and pro-innovation across the board in the tech sector, seeking to open up new opportunities for all firms, however small or large they are, while empowering consumers.

    The Prime Minister has made his intention to secure growth and innovation within every corner of our economy very clear – the new Digital Markets Unit will help fulfil this important priority for the UK in the digital economy.

    Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said:

    This bill is a pivotal step to make markets in the UK work better for consumers, businesses and support economic growth.

    Whether it’s fake reviews by dishonest businesses or people getting trapped in unwanted and costly subscriptions, our consumer protections are overdue an upgrade. Which? has long campaigned for stronger powers for the Competition and Markets Authority, including tough enforcement and the ability to fine firms that break the law directly.

    The empowerment of the CMA’s Digital Markets Unit will also be a major step forward. It needs the right powers to loosen the vice-like grip of a handful of tech giants that will foster innovation and give consumers more choice and lower prices.

    Dom Hallas, Executive Director at Coadec, said:

    Startups thrive in competitive markets but currently too many are grappling with bed-blocking incumbents in broken markets. The Digital Markets Unit can become a powerful tool to help innovative companies break through.

    UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said:

    We’re pleased that the Government has listened to the concerns of hospitality businesses about fake reviews and have taken swift action to tackle it, by giving the CMA enhanced powers through this Bill.

    Fake reviews do irreparable damage to businesses, offer consumers a misleading view of a business and devalue the efforts of honest customers leaving genuine feedback. This Bill will help to deliver fairness for both hospitality venues and their customers in this area, and we look forward to working with Government to achieve this.

    Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said:

    The new powers in this bill help the CMA take swift, decisive action to tackle rip offs, protecting consumers whether they are shopping online or on the high street. The new fining powers will provide an important deterrent to businesses seeking to take advantage of people while also ensuring fair dealing businesses can thrive.

    The bill will also strengthen the Digital Markets Unit, helping to ensure digital markets remain competitive and continue to benefit people, business, and the UK economy. We welcome its introduction to parliament and look forward to it progressing.

  • PRESS RELEASE : Best of British business celebrated as the first King’s Awards for Enterprise Recipients revealed [April 2023]

    PRESS RELEASE : Best of British business celebrated as the first King’s Awards for Enterprise Recipients revealed [April 2023]

    The press release issued by the Department for Business and Trade on 21 April 2023.

    148 recipients announced in The King’s Awards for Enterprise – the UK’s most prestigious business awards.

    • Winners include Fever-Tree Drinks, the UK’s largest soft drinks exporter and Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, which provides opportunities for military veterans.
    • Applications for The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2024 open on Coronation Day, 6th May 2023.

    The first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced today (21 April), celebrating the achievements of UK businesses.

    This year, 148 businesses representing every part of the United Kingdom and a diverse range of sectors have been recognised by His Majesty The King as among the best in the country awards.

    Businesses like these are central to delivering on one of the Government’s five priorities to grow our economy – from creating new opportunities and supporting people into work through to developing new innovations and exporting the best of Britain around the world.

    Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake said:

    I congratulate the first ever recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise, who exemplify the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of British business.

    I wish them every success and commend the invaluable contributions they make to communities both at home and overseas, helping to grow the UK economy.

    This year’s winners include:

    • Fever-Tree Drinks, based in London, are the UK’s largest soft drink exporter. The company’s premium mixers are distributed in more than 90 countries worldwide, with teams in key regions including the US, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. The company receives The King’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Continuous Growth in overseas sales over the last six years.
    • Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company, a social enterprise based in Renfrewshire that provides employment opportunities to injured military veterans and people with disabilities. They have been awarded The King’s Award for Promoting Opportunity.
    • Naturaw Pet Food Ltd. a Yorkshire based manufacturer of natural unprocessed, raw meat-based dog food produced in a solar powered factory. The company has developed completely plastic-free packaging, and sources all their high welfare meat from Britain, ensuring the highest level of animal welfare and low food miles. They have been awarded The King’s Award for Sustainable Development.

    The King’s Awards for Enterprise was previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, and the new name reflects His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 57th year, has awarded over 7,000 companies since its inception in 1965.

    This year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise are given for outstanding achievement in:

    • Innovation (47)
    • International trade (78)
    • Sustainable development (15)
    • Promoting opportunity (through social mobility) (9)

    His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year.

    Eligible businesses are free to apply for one or more categories. The recipients pass a robust assessment process, judged by experts from industry, academia, the voluntary sector and senior officials in Whitehall.

    On that basis, each year, The King’s Awards for Enterprise recipients are recommended by the Prime Minister.

    The full list of Awardees across the four categories can be found in the London Gazette.