Covid-19: Economic Recovery

International Trade – in the House of Commons at on 8 October 2020.

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Photo of Mark Fletcher Mark Fletcher Conservative, Bolsover

What steps her Department is taking to support economic recovery from the covid-19 pandemic through UK exports.

Photo of Graham Stuart Graham Stuart Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for International Trade)

Since the start of covid-19, my Department has been committed to doing everything it can to help exporters. Helping them to bounce back with extensive economic recovery measures continues to be a major priority. After significant monthly decreases in UK trade during the early stages of the pandemic, the UK is now seeing record month-on-month increases in exports, rising by 16.5% in June and a further 5.6% in July.

Photo of Mark Fletcher Mark Fletcher Conservative, Bolsover

I recently visited Blachford UK in Holmewood in my constituency. This brilliant manufacturer enjoys fantastic relations with many countries around the world, particularly Canada. Does the Minister agree that it is a shining example to exporters around the country and we need more companies like it, particularly in Bolsover?

Photo of Graham Stuart Graham Stuart Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for International Trade)

Absolutely—we need more companies like Blachford. That is why we are transforming our digital offer to exporters and negotiating a continuity agreement with Canada. It would be great to see Opposition MPs joining us in encouraging their local exporters in the manner of my hon. Friend. I understand that he planted a maple tree at Blachford on a recent visit. I suggest that we should all be planting trees and celebrating our local exporters.