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Written question asked by John Lamont (Conservative) on Monday, 24 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 26 November 2025. It was answered by Chris Bryant (Labour) on Monday, 1 December 2025 on behalf of the Department for Business and Trade.


Stone: Trade Competitiveness

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) international trade practices and (b) foreign subsidies on the competitiveness of UK natural stone SMEs.

Answer

The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) is the UK’s investigatory body that exists to defend the UK against unfair international trade practices, including foreign subsidies.

I encourage UK industry to engage directly with the TRA if they believe they are being injured by unfair trading practices as it will be for the TRA to decide whether evidentiary thresholds to initiate a trade remedies investigation are met.

The Department remains vigilant to any reports of potential injury to industries from unfair trading practices and regularly engages with the natural stone sector.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
94031
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Small businesses Subsidies Trade competitiveness Stone (material)
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk