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Business: Ayrshire

Asked by Alan GemmellLabourDepartment for Business and TradeTabled Answered 10 July 2026UIN 15577

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what steps his Department is taking to support businesses in Ayrshire in accessing opportunities from free trade deals.

Answered by Blair McDougall

Free trade agreements are central to our plan for growth, helping UK businesses to compete and succeed in global markets. Through FTAs, businesses can benefit from tariff reductions, improved market access, and enhanced protections in investment and digital trade.

That’s why the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is ensuring that UK businesses, including those in Ayrshire, have the tools, knowledge and support they need to seize these growth opportunities.

DBT delivers a dedicated FTA utilisation programme to raise awareness and help firms understand key provisions and opportunities through practical and informative guides with more information available online at business.gov.uk.

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