Thank you, Chair.

On behalf of Her Majesty’s Government, I am pleased to add my welcome to the delegation of Indonesia, led by the Honourable Jerry Sambuaga, Vice Minister of Trade. I would also like to express our appreciation to the Indonesian Government and the WTO Secretariat for their insightful reports, and to you Chair and H.E. Ambassador Villalobos Rodríguez, the Discussant, for your efforts to facilitate today’s Trade Policy Review.

Mr Chairman, the United Kingdom would like to reiterate the importance of the Trade Policy Review as a transparency mechanism in monitoring Members’ trade policies, and express our appreciation for Indonesia’s responses to our written questions.

Since its last Trade Policy Review in 2013, Indonesia has taken notable steps to increase its engagement in multilateral and regional trade, most recently through participation in and facilitation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. Indonesia has also been active in enabling investment, with the World Bank describing the new Job Creation Law as one of the most important pieces of investment reform in decades. Once implemented, we understand that this has the potential to greatly improve the ease of doing business in Indonesia. The UK welcomes the new legislation and looks forward to the early issue of the implementing regulations.

Indonesia has made a strong effort to further integrate itself into the multilateral trading system. The United Kingdom commends Indonesia for having ratified the Trade Facilitation Agreement in December 2017 and implemented 88.7% of its commitments to date. We support Indonesia’s efforts to implement its remaining TFA commitments by February 2022. The establishment of the National Committee on Technical Trade Barriers has allowed Indonesia to implement the WTO TBT Agreement effectively, submitting 79 notifications to the TBT Committee in the review period, and to address TBT issues. The UK recognises Indonesia’s commitment to transparency through the submission of WTO notifications.

We are pleased that Indonesia is an Observer to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement. The UK strongly supports this Agreement, which ensures competition as well as value for money on public procurement. We look forward to Indonesia taking the next steps to progress their accession process. We welcome Indonesia’s objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and encouraging more sustainable energy. Reduced barriers to imported components and foreign investment could speed up Indonesia’s energy transition and contribute to meeting its environmental goals. The UK sees Indonesia as an important G20 partner. We welcome the agreement reached by G20 Trade Ministers on 22 September 2020 and look forward to working closely with Indonesia during Italy’s Presidency of the G20 in 2021 and during Indonesia’s G20 Presidency in 2022.

Last year the United Kingdom and Indonesia celebrated 70 years of diplomatic relations, and we continue to bolster our bilateral ties. Our total bilateral trade was worth £2.9bn in 2019, and we are working to develop stronger economic ties as we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis. The United Kingdom is currently conducting a bilateral Joint Trade Review with the Indonesian Government which is due to be concluded in January 2021. Through this, both sides are identifying opportunities to enhance bilateral trade relations and set the groundwork for future cooperation. In doing so we work to strengthen the rules-based international system, fight protectionism, and reduce trade barriers.

In closing, allow me to thank our Indonesian colleagues for their valued cooperation and extend our wishes for a successful Trade Policy Review.

Thank you, Chair.

DVLA and the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) are highlighting to motor dealers how DVLA’s online services can help increase customer satisfaction, following new research published 9 December by DVLA.

A recent survey commissioned by DVLA showed that 97% of those asked would recommend DVLA’s online services. The most popular reason to transact online was convenience (86%), followed by speed (82%). DVLA’s research also showed that 9 out of 10 motorists asked said the dealer took care of the administration at the point they purchased the vehicle. Over half of motorists (52%) also said that they would be more likely to sell their vehicle to a dealer who completed the admin for them.

The quickest and simplest way to tell DVLA that a vehicle has been bought into trade, sold into trade or sold to a customer will always be via DVLA’s online service. Customers will receive instant confirmation that they are no longer the keeper, and an automatic refund of any full months of vehicle tax remaining. Those purchasing a vehicle will receive their new log book (V5C) within 5 working days.

As well as increased customer satisfaction levels, dealers also benefit from reduced administration time, no postage costs and a clearer audit trail for date of keepership changes.

With over half of those motorists asked (51%) saying they part exchanged when buying a vehicle, DVLA’s latest online service to request a duplicate V5C log book slashes the time it takes to receive this from 6 weeks to just 5 days, making this the perfect tool for those seeking to avoid hold-ups where the vehicle’s log book has been lost or damaged.

DVLA Chief Executive Julie Lennard said:

DVLA’s online services will always be the quickest and simplest way for customers to deal with us, and millions of motorists already use these. The research shows that motorists value the support dealers offer with the administration, and customer satisfaction is so important in this industry that we are keen to show dealers the benefits of our online services.

Businesses and motorists can save time and money by going online when they need to make an application or tell us that a vehicle has changed hands – at the time and place that suits them.

Sue Robinson, Chief Executive, the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) said:

We are aware that many franchised dealers already embrace the benefits of DVLA’s online services. These services are quick, efficient and easy-to-use and, as a result, a great driver for those seeking to increase customer satisfaction and repeat business by excelling in the customer service they offer. We encourage franchised dealers to continue to highlight to their customers the benefits of using DVLA’s online services.

Visit GOV.UK for a full list of DVLA’s online services and more information.

Notes to editors:

• The online service to tell DVLA that a vehicle has been bought or sold is available on GOV.UK seven days a week from 7am to 9pm.

• Motorists who need to apply for a duplicate (V5C) log book should go online. The new service was launched in September 2020 and has been used around 45,000 times.

• In June 2020, a new service was launched for motorists to change the address on their V5C log book. This service has been used around 540,000 times since it was launched.

• DVLA’s online services are working as normal and have not been affected by the coronavirus pandemic. All of DVLA’s online services are available on GOV.UK

• 92.3% of respondents to a DVLA survey carried out in September 2020 said they had bought a used vehicle. 73.8% said they had bought the vehicle from a motor trader. 51.1% said they had part exchanged for another when buying a used vehicle. 93.0% said that the motor trader had completed the sales admin and paperwork for them when they bought the vehicle and 52.5% said they would more likely to sell a vehicle to a dealer who completed all the admin and paperwork for them (18.4% said they did not know).

Business owners affected by the pandemic will be protected from eviction until the end of March 2021, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick announced today (9 December 2020).

The majority of commercial landlords have shown flexibility, understanding and commitment to protect businesses during an exceptionally challenging time.

This final extension to protections from the threat of eviction will give landlords and tenants 3 months to come to an agreement on unpaid rent. The government is clear that where businesses can pay any or all of their rent, they should do so.

Further guidance to support negotiations between landlords and tenants will also be published shortly.

The move will also support businesses worst affected by the pandemic, such as bars and restaurants, helping them to rebuild over the winter period. This is in addition to putting in place one of the world’s most comprehensive economic responses to protect jobs, incomes, and business throughout and beyond this pandemic.

Alongside this, Mr Jenrick has also announced a review of the outdated commercial landlord and tenant legislation, to address concerns that the current framework does not reflect the current economic conditions.

This review will consider how to enable better collaboration between commercial landlords and tenants and also how to improve the leasing process to ensure our high streets and town centres thrive as we recover from the pandemic and beyond.

Today’s announcement builds on the extra government support for businesses, including targeted VAT cuts, extension of government-backed loan schemes, grants of up to £3,000 for premises that must close, and £1.1 billion for councils to enable them to support businesses in their area.

Overall the government has committed a package of over £280 billion of support for businesses and employees this year and the Chancellor has confirmed an additional £55 billion for next year.

Secretary of State for Housing Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:

I am extending protections from the threat of eviction for businesses unable to pay their rent until March 2021, taking the length of these measures to one year. This will help them recover from the impact of the pandemic and plan for the future.

This support is for the businesses struggling the most during the pandemic, such as those in hospitality – however, those that are able to pay their rent should do so.

We are witnessing a profound adjustment in commercial property. It is critical that landlords and tenants across the country use the coming months to reach agreements on rent wherever possible and enable viable businesses to continue to operate.

Business Secretary Alok Sharma said:

We have stood by businesses across the country throughout this pandemic, and as we head into the New Year we will make sure they continue to have the support they need to keep their finances stable, protect jobs and build back better.

There is still some uncertainty ahead, but knowing that they won’t be evicted by their landlord will give thousands of business owners some breathing space and the additional confidence they need to plan for their futures.

Further guidance to support tenants and landlords to continue to work together to agree rent payment options where businesses are struggling will be published shortly.

Additional guidance published early next year will sit alongside the government’s Code of Practice, published in June, to encourage all parties to work together to protect viable businesses and ensure a swift economic recovery.

The government will also extend insolvency measures on restricting statutory demands and winding up petitions until the end of March.

The restriction on landlords using Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR) to recover unpaid rent will also automatically extend to the end of March, in line with the moratorium’s expiry date. This allows businesses sufficient breathing space to pay rent owed.

In addition to the measures extended today, the government has also committed a package of over £280 billion of support for businesses and employees, including loans, rates relief and grants for businesses:

The review of review of commercial landlord and tenant legislation will be launched early next year and will consider a broad range of issues including the Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 Part II, different models of rent payment, and the impact of Coronavirus on the market.

A temporary measure introduced by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act restricting the use of statutory demands and winding-up petitions, which was due to expire on 31 December 2020, has been extended to the 31 March 2021.

This will continue to help protect companies from aggressive creditor enforcement action as a result of coronavirus related debts and give breathing space to companies to negotiate or restructure.

Highways England has shared plans to transform the last remaining section of single carriageway on the A46, which is part of the nationally significant ‘Trans-Midlands Trade Corridor’, connecting the M5 with Humber Ports.

The proposed road upgrade will tackle congestion on the outskirts of Newark by removing bottlenecks, making journeys safer and more reliable than ever before.

For the 17,000 drivers who travel along the busy A46 every day, this increase in road capacity will put a welcome end to frustrating stop-start journeys.

Two scheme options have been progressed by Highways England, both of which promise to give an economic boost to communities across the region.

From 9 December to February 2021, everyone who lives near or regularly uses the route is encouraged to review the proposals and have their say on which solution they prefer.

Highways England project manager, Karen Green, said:

This major upgrade to the A46 will help drivers by better linking two key midlands cities – Leicester and Lincoln.

Cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders are set to benefit from our plans too as we’ll provide a safer route for them to cross the A46.

We’d prefer to share information about both scheme options at a public information event where we can meet people face-to-face. As that’s not possible right now, we’re making everything available online.

It’s vital that the new bypass works for the whole community. So, I’d encourage everyone to have their say on the road’s future.

Thousands of leaflets advertising the public consultation have been delivered to homes and businesses around Newark.

For more information about the scheme options and to take part in the consultation, visit the A46 Newark bypass scheme webpage.

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