Graham Stuart MP appointed International Trade Minister

Beverley and Holderness MP, Graham Stuart, made his debut at the Despatch Box today following his appointment as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Trade (DIT).

As a Minister at one of the newest government departments in Westminster, Mr Stuart will play a key role in directing UK trade policy across the world. A Member of Parliament since 2005, he will now lead on promoting investment in the UK by foreign partners, as well as overseeing the government’s policy on direct investment abroad.

In the House of Commons, Mr Stuart outlined what the DIT was doing to help British exporters – including flexible currency purchasing – which will benefit a range of businesses across East Yorkshire that rely upon access to foreign markets.

Following his appointment, Mr Stuart said: “I am delighted by this opportunity to play a bigger role in the UK’s trading relationships and help to secure our future prosperity. I am clear, however, that my constituents in Beverley and Holderness remain my top priority – they have been since I was elected in 2005 and that will not change.

“This new role, in an important and growing government department, will allow me to speak up for businesses and consumers in our area, who rely upon the UK’s trading relationship with foreign partners for everything from a market for their goods to reducing the cost of their weekly supermarket shopping.

“As we leave the European Union, the UK’s global trading relationships are more important than ever, and I will ensure that we in Beverley and Holderness are not left behind as the UK explores these exciting and wide-ranging opportunities.”