The sixth round of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Turkey took place in London between 28 September and 2 October 2026.

International trade is central to the Government's ambition to deliver good growth in every part of the UK. The UK and Turkey already enjoy a strong trading...

The sixth round of negotiations on an enhanced Free Trade Agreement with Turkey took place in London between 28 September and 2 October 2026.

International trade is central to the Government's ambition to deliver good growth in every part of the UK. The UK and Turkey already enjoy a strong trading...

My Lords, I am grateful for the contributions and serious consideration that the House has given to the future of Speciality Steel UK. I will come on to address some of the specific questions that both noble Lords have rightfully asked, but first I thank both noble Lords for mentioning...

My Lords, I am grateful for the contributions and serious consideration that the House has given to the future of Speciality Steel UK. I will come on to address some of the specific questions that both noble Lords have rightfully asked, but first I thank both noble Lords for mentioning...

I thank the noble Lord for his questions. Let me reassure him that my noble friend will continue to fact-check me on a regular basis in the absence of him answering questions directly.

The workforce is fundamental to this. We will of course make decisions based on what it means for...

I thank the noble Lord for his questions. Let me reassure him that my noble friend will continue to fact-check me on a regular basis in the absence of him answering questions directly.

The workforce is fundamental to this. We will of course make decisions based on what it means for...

Lords statement on Speciality Steel UK.

Lords statement on Speciality Steel UK.

I thank my noble friend for his usually robust contribution. I gently tell him that, while he was here to witness what happened in 1980 and can therefore tell us the lessons that must be learned, I was born in 1983.

I thank my noble friend for his usually robust contribution. I gently tell him that, while he was here to witness what happened in 1980 and can therefore tell us the lessons that must be learned, I was born in 1983.

I wish to update the House on the position regarding Speciality Steel UK (SSUK).

My Honourable Friend the Minister for Reindustrialisation, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Blair McDougall MP) has today made the following Statement.

SSUK entered liquidation in August 2025, with the independent, court-appointed Official Receiver managing the liquidation...

I wish to update the House on the position regarding Speciality Steel UK (SSUK).

My Honourable Friend the Minister for Reindustrialisation, Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade (Blair McDougall MP) has today made the following Statement.

SSUK entered liquidation in August 2025, with the independent, court-appointed Official Receiver managing the liquidation...

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on employment opportunities for young people in Scotland.

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Employment Rights Act 2025 on employment opportunities for young people in Scotland.

My Lords, the Government have published a comprehensive assessment of the Employment Rights Act in consultation with experts. The assessment shows that the Act could benefit 18 million workers across the UK and could increase employment. Our analysis further shows that young workers stand to be amongst the biggest beneficiaries of these reforms. Scotland is also expected to benefit more significantly, with around 55% of workers projected to gain from the Act.

My Lords, the Government have published a comprehensive assessment of the Employment Rights Act in consultation with experts. The assessment shows that the Act could benefit 18 million workers across the UK and could increase employment. Our analysis further shows that young workers stand to be amongst the biggest beneficiaries of these reforms. Scotland is also expected to benefit more significantly, with around 55% of workers projected to gain from the Act.

I thank the noble Lord for the question. He and I debated these issues in a very different Parliament not so long ago, and I am sure that neither of us imagined we would be debating in this Chamber today. As he knows, a lot of these responsibilities are devolved, so we have to make an assessment of the impact of the Employment Rights Act; but let us not forget that the Scottish Government are responsible for schools, high schools, colleges, universities, apprenticeships, the apprenticeship levy rates and so much more. Therefore, although we are confident that the Employment Rights Act will not have a detrimental impact on young workers, we need fundamental reform in Scotland in those other areas.

I thank the noble Lord for the question. He and I debated these issues in a very different Parliament not so long ago, and I am sure that neither of us imagined we would be debating in this Chamber today. As he knows, a lot of these responsibilities are devolved, so we have to make an assessment of the impact of the Employment Rights Act; but let us not forget that the Scottish Government are responsible for schools, high schools, colleges, universities, apprenticeships, the apprenticeship levy rates and so much more. Therefore, although we are confident that the Employment Rights Act will not have a detrimental impact on young workers, we need fundamental reform in Scotland in those other areas.

I thank the noble Lord for that question. He can pay me all the compliments he likes—I will happily take them. Of course, on principle we should work together whenever it is in the national interest, and there will be different responsibilities of the Government here at Westminster and the Government in Scotland. For example, we have responsibility for the Employment Rights Act and the campaign to make work pay, along with increasing the national minimum wage for young people. We have the jobs guarantee scheme, and we have committed an additional £2.5 billion over the next three years to the youth guarantee scheme, as well as reforming the growth and skills levy. Of course, responsibility for how that levy is spent in Scotland is for the Scottish Government. Therefore, I accept the principle of the argument the noble Lord is making, and we stand ready to work with the Government in Scotland to deliver for Scotland’s amazing young people.

I thank the noble Lord for that question. He can pay me all the compliments he likes—I will happily take them. Of course, on principle we should work together whenever it is in the national interest, and there will be different responsibilities of the Government here at Westminster and the Government in Scotland. For example, we have responsibility for the Employment Rights Act and the campaign to make work pay, along with increasing the national minimum wage for young people. We have the jobs guarantee scheme, and we have committed an additional £2.5 billion over the next three years to the youth guarantee scheme, as well as reforming the growth and skills levy. Of course, responsibility for how that levy is spent in Scotland is for the Scottish Government. Therefore, I accept the principle of the argument the noble Lord is making, and we stand ready to work with the Government in Scotland to deliver for Scotland’s amazing young people.

I thank my noble friend for that question and agree with her wholeheartedly. I repeat what I said to the noble Lord: we stand ready to work with the Scottish Government on these issues. I will give the example of an area that is of course of real importance to my noble friend: the Western Isles. There we have a particular challenge, with a ferry service that is not competent, meaning that there is loss of trade almost every week. Services are being taken away—for example, around our skills system—and resources are being taken away from the university based there and in the highlands. In addition, too many young people are being forced to leave the Western Isles because they cannot get adequate housing to bring up their young families. This shows that we need a joined-up approach, and the Government stand ready to do that. However, I again urge the Scottish Government to take much more action on all these issues, rather than undertaking stunts in other parts of the country such as the one they engaged in today.

I thank my noble friend for that question and agree with her wholeheartedly. I repeat what I said to the noble Lord: we stand ready to work with the Scottish Government on these issues. I will give the example of an area that is of course of real importance to my noble friend: the Western Isles. There we have a particular challenge, with a ferry service that is not competent, meaning that there is loss of trade almost every week. Services are being taken away—for example, around our skills system—and resources are being taken away from the university based there and in the highlands. In addition, too many young people are being forced to leave the Western Isles because they cannot get adequate housing to bring up their young families. This shows that we need a joined-up approach, and the Government stand ready to do that. However, I again urge the Scottish Government to take much more action on all these issues, rather than undertaking stunts in other parts of the country such as the one they engaged in today.

I emphasise again that of course, I and the First Minister of Scotland have a different view on the constitution of the UK and the constitution in Scotland. However, to be honest, the most meaningful thing the First Minister of Scotland, and indeed the First Minister of Wales and the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland, can do is deliver for their populations. When in Scotland we have rising youth unemployment, ever-longer NHS waiting lists and too many children leaving school without the opportunities they deserve, those are the issues the Scottish Government should be grappling with every day, rather than gathering in Cardiff to sign a piece of paper and perform a stunt, acting against the interests of the good people of Scotland.

I emphasise again that of course, I and the First Minister of Scotland have a different view on the constitution of the UK and the constitution in Scotland. However, to be honest, the most meaningful thing the First Minister of Scotland, and indeed the First Minister of Wales and the First and Deputy First Ministers of Northern Ireland, can do is deliver for their populations. When in Scotland we have rising youth unemployment, ever-longer NHS waiting lists and too many children leaving school without the opportunities they deserve, those are the issues the Scottish Government should be grappling with every day, rather than gathering in Cardiff to sign a piece of paper and perform a stunt, acting against the interests of the good people of Scotland.

I thank the noble Lord for his question. The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is a good example of local authorities, the Scottish Government and the UK Government working together to drive investment into the Borderlands area—exports out and investments in—to create more opportunities. Let me emphasise again: in far too many parts of Scotland, young people are forced to leave because there is no access to local skills, well-paid local jobs or local housing. Many of those young people leave and never go back, and that is unfair for far too many parts of our country.

I thank the noble Lord for his question. The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal is a good example of local authorities, the Scottish Government and the UK Government working together to drive investment into the Borderlands area—exports out and investments in—to create more opportunities. Let me emphasise again: in far too many parts of Scotland, young people are forced to leave because there is no access to local skills, well-paid local jobs or local housing. Many of those young people leave and never go back, and that is unfair for far too many parts of our country.

I thank the noble Earl for his question. We were due to meet last week, but, sadly, Ministers in the devolved Administrations had to rearrange. I look forward to meeting very soon, and I will ensure that youth unemployment is high up the agenda.

I thank the noble Earl for his question. We were due to meet last week, but, sadly, Ministers in the devolved Administrations had to rearrange. I look forward to meeting very soon, and I will ensure that youth unemployment is high up the agenda.

I wholeheartedly agree with my noble friend. Let me again demonstrate how important these reforms are. In April 2026, the Government strengthened statutory sick pay, introduced day-one rights to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, and launched the Fair Work Agency. Further measures will be delivered in phases through 2026 and 2027, giving businesses and workers time to prepare. Let me emphasise a point I have not had a chance to make so far. The significant rise in the national minimum wage for young people is good, I believe, for employers and workplaces and for employees. I think it is perfectly fair that if a person is doing the same work, they should rightly expect to have the same pay.

I wholeheartedly agree with my noble friend. Let me again demonstrate how important these reforms are. In April 2026, the Government strengthened statutory sick pay, introduced day-one rights to paternity leave and unpaid parental leave, and launched the Fair Work Agency. Further measures will be delivered in phases through 2026 and 2027, giving businesses and workers time to prepare. Let me emphasise a point I have not had a chance to make so far. The significant rise in the national minimum wage for young people is good, I believe, for employers and workplaces and for employees. I think it is perfectly fair that if a person is doing the same work, they should rightly expect to have the same pay.

Let me first emphasise that that was political business in the past, in case I get in trouble with the relevant authorities about my entry in the register of interests. Of course, you have to look at all these areas with the right balance to make sure we have the right fiscal arrangements in place, the right levels of pay and the right conditions. We also have to

make sure that there is a more joined-up approach. To give an example, it is right that we increase the pay for young people—most disproportionately, young people working, for example, in the hospitality and retail sector; but if we are honest, nor is there a balanced or level playing field in our business rate system for the retail and hospitality sector.

Let me first emphasise that that was political business in the past, in case I get in trouble with the relevant authorities about my entry in the register of interests. Of course, you have to look at all these areas with the right balance to make sure we have the right fiscal arrangements in place, the right levels of pay and the right conditions. We also have to

make sure that there is a more joined-up approach. To give an example, it is right that we increase the pay for young people—most disproportionately, young people working, for example, in the hospitality and retail sector; but if we are honest, nor is there a balanced or level playing field in our business rate system for the retail and hospitality sector.

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Jonathan Reynolds MP) has today made the following statement.

On 22 July 2026, the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) concluded a subsidy investigation on imports of US hydrotreated vegetable oil...

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Jonathan Reynolds MP) has today made the following statement.

On 22 July 2026, the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) concluded a subsidy investigation on imports of US hydrotreated vegetable oil...

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Jonathan Reynolds MP) has today made the following statement.

On 23 August 2024, the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (“TRA”) initiated a transition review of the anti-dumping measure applied on bicycles...

My Rt Hon Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade and President of the Board of Trade (Jonathan Reynolds MP) has today made the following statement.

On 23 August 2024, the UK’s Trade Remedies Authority (“TRA”) initiated a transition review of the anti-dumping measure applied on bicycles...

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they gave to the impact, if any, on steel supplies to the defence industry in the UK when assessing the changes to tariff-free quotas on category 4 galvanised steel imports.

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they gave to the impact, if any, on steel supplies to the defence industry in the UK when assessing the changes to tariff-free quotas on category 4 galvanised steel imports.

Lords motion to take note of the sixth report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights on Forced Labour in UK Supply Chains (HL 159 2024-26). Agreed to on question.

Lords motion to take note of the sixth report of the Joint Committee on Human Rights on Forced Labour in UK Supply Chains (HL 159 2024-26). Agreed to on question.