Take part in our consultation on the UK's long-term subsidy control scheme replacing EU state aid rules. Proposals empower public bodies to support businesses, whilst safeguarding fair competition across the UK and meeting international rules: https://t.co/Df2Fh1igkE https://t.co/TE6G83M8Tq - Tweet Link

💉 40m extra @valnevaSE doses brings our total UK vaccine portfolio to 407 million doses 💉 This is part of our strategy to ensure the UK has the best chance of getting vaccines that work for everyone, as quickly as possible. ➡️ https://t.co/MpwWwmWSLp #FightingCoronavirus https://t.co/tnkSJMpxhX - Tweet Link

Some workers can work in others' houses but personal care providers, such as beauticians, hairdressers & masseurs must not 💅🏽 💇🏼‍ 💆 This is because staying socially distanced from clients is likely to be more difficult. Find out more: https://t.co/EGw96eKJDP https://t.co/P1G5iOnGzI - Tweet Link

The process combines waste CO2 from beer production with potato peelings, which is then turned to fertiliser. Read more about the innovative carbon capture process here: https://t.co/trJHWKWRet - Tweet Link

Waste ➡ fertiliser ➡ crisps. We're looking for the UK's next energy entrepreneurs. Previous winners @CCmTechUK are helping @walkers_crisps turn potato peelings into fertiliser for future crops 🌱 More about our £11m fund 👇 https://t.co/7w7Qn4Ibwx #TogetherForOurPlanet https://t.co/ChQBacxdWb - Tweet Link

Waste ➡ fertiliser ➡ crisps. We're looking for the UK's next energy entrepreneurs. Previous winners @CCmTechUK are helping @walkers_crisps turn potato peelings into fertiliser for future crops 🌱 More about our £11m fund 👇 https://t.co/Ufv4vLFy6I #TogetherForOurPlanet https://t.co/WHTvTPNBMY - Tweet Link

Restaurants, cafes and pubs in England are still able to offer takeaway, click and collect and drive through for food and soft drink during lockdown. Alcohol is delivery only. Find out more: https://t.co/LhB2qccLVc https://t.co/WGfFxhaqKY - Tweet Link

A range of government backed loans are available to help businesses get through the winter and protect jobs. Available for large & small businesses and start-ups whether they are open or closed. Find out more about the support available: https://t.co/ivXLeIYo1d https://t.co/qJ7WKMeZtK - Tweet Link

VACCINE UPDATE 📣 We've formed a partnership with @CureVacRNA to tackle future variants of #COVID19 This will allow us to rapidly develop new vaccines in response to new #coronavirus variants if needed. Find out more 👇 https://t.co/jxVFip3mIS https://t.co/X8Fkqfi7Wh - Tweet Link

Have you been affected by the #Horizon #PostOffice case? The Inquiry is looking for views or statements from current or former postmasters and postmistresses, employees or contractors on the human impacts. Submit your views here👇🏽 https://t.co/CW8n0umake #SubPostMasters - Tweet Link

Did you hear the news? Renewable energy was the UK's biggest source of electricity for the first time in 2020 👏👏👏 We generated 42% of power from renewables according to a report from @EmberClimate, up from just 7% a decade ago. More on the stats 👇 https://t.co/9Q4BFbqh9N https://t.co/xiZ5FIdTK4 - Tweet Link

Mentions:
1: The BEIS Committee in the last Parliament looked at this issue, and we concluded that the myriad sources - Link

Mentions:
1: Perhaps I might point him with some advantage to the work that the Department for Business, Energy and - Link

Mentions:
1: My Department has worked closely with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy - Link

Mentions:
1: had some say in it, but that now seems to have disappeared and it is left just to the Minister and BEIS - Link

Mentions:
1: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Ministry of Housing, Communities - Link

Mentions:
1: remains in contact with the industry, and we are also working in close collaboration with DCMS and BEIS - Link

Mentions:
1: move by not just the Treasury but other Government Departments—the Department for International Trade, BEIS - Link

Mentions:
1: However, I urge him to really put some pressure on the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial - Link

Mentions:
1: Along with the other critical economic Departments, including the Department for Business, Energy and - Link

Mentions:
1: That is underpinned by the clear guidance issued by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial - Link

Mentions:
1: Collective and separate discussions are taking place between BEIS, the Welsh Government, the UKAEA, Rolls-Royce - Link
2: all developers for the Wylfa site, and I believe the team has had some discussions with officials in BEIS - Link

Mentions:
1: There is work that we want to bring forward, not least the work that the Department for Business - Link

Mentions:
1: Wylfa Newydd is still the best site in the UK for nuclear power, and I continue to work with the Department - Link

Mentions:
1: A number of firms did and, from working with them through the Treasury, the Department for Business, - Link

Mentions:
1: As he will know, DCMS and BEIS have been working with representatives from industry and civil society - Link

Mentions:
1: It is clear that any teacher from an agency regulated by BEIS who is employed for 12 weeks becomes a - Link

Mentions:
1: Actually BEIS questions were earlier this week, but if he were to take it up with the BEIS Secretary, - Link

Mentions:
1: I know that my colleagues in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and elsewhere - Link
2: It is of course vital that we get this right for everyone in the country, and I know that the Department - Link

Mentions:
1: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is seeking ways to engage the public in sustainable - Link

Mentions:
1: That advice noted that, while the BEIS best practice guide offers suggestions and advice that pretty - Link
2: treated in a workplace, it is not enough to say that employers should not behave in that way, as the BEIS - Link
3: That is why, in June last year, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy launched - Link

Found: Community Energy 7 PFI0030 (Scottish Renewables) 8 PFI0034 9 PFI0034 10 BEIS. 2020.

Found: Correspondence from Sarah Munby, Permanent Secretary Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Found: Correspondence from Sarah Munby, Permanent Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Energy,

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many new full-time equivalent jobs will be created by the location of (a) HM Treasury's Northern Campus in Darlington and (b) the new national infrastructure bank in Leeds.

Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

At least 750 roles from across HM Treasury, the Department for International Trade, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the Office for National Statistics will be based at the Darlington economic campus. The UK Infrastructure Bank (UKIB) is a new institution and will be headquartered in Leeds. The UKIB will be launched in interim form later in the Spring with the recruitment of the bank’s Chair currently underway.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the effects of offshore unexploded ordnance disposal on marine mammals.

Answered by Victoria Prentis - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

Defra recognises the impact that underwater noise from clearing unexploded ordnance can have on vulnerable marine species. We are working closely with other government departments, the Marine Management Organisation, statutory nature conservation bodies and marine industries to reduce underwater noise but must ensure any clearance method for the removal of unexploded ordnance is both safe and effective.

Defra is investigating deflagration as an alternative to detonation in the removal of unexploded ordnance from the seabed. This involves the controlled burning of explosive material in a manner that does not result in full detonation. We welcome the research commissioned by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy into the impact of using low order deflagration techniques for unexploded ordnance removal which is ongoing.

The Marine Management Organisation already includes the use of deflagration as an advisory voluntary request within marine deemed licences requesting that developers investigate deflagration as an initial method of mitigation.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what indirect support is available to (1) local authorities, (2) building firms, and (3) others, to create sustainable housing developments; what steps they are taking to advertise such indirect support; and whether it will be presented in a consolidated form to assist potential developers.

Answered by Lord Greenhalgh - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government provides direct and indirect support to a wide range of stakeholders, including developers, and delivery partners to ensure the 1 million homes we want to see built over this Parliament are high-quality and consistent with our commitment to net zero.

Through the National Planning Policy Framework, we empower local authorities to make place-based decisions to best reflect local needs and the importance of sustainable development. The revised Framework, which is currently out for consultation, makes a number of changes to strengthen environmental policies, and introduces climate change adaptation and mitigation as part of sustainable development.

The Construction Leadership Council, which is jointly chaired by industry and the BEIS Construction Minister, works with and supports the wider construction industry. The Green Construction Board, the sustainability work stream of the Construction Leadership Council, has worked with industry, experts and Government officials to produce recommendations on sustainable new homes and the retrofit of existing housing. Homes England also plays an important role in supporting the housing sector to deliver more sustainable homes and places.

The Government also provides direct support to the delivery of high-quality housing. For example, my Department is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and is investing over £12 billion in affordable housing over five years, the largest investment in affordable housing in a decade. This includes the new £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme, which will provide up to 180,000 new homes across the country and leverage £38 billion of private investment. All homes built through the programme must meet current building regulations and the Decent Homes standard. Through our new £11.5 billion programme we will be incentivising Providers to build well-designed places by building the National Design Guide into our scoring criteria for Strategic Partnerships.

The forthcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy, will set out further actions we will take for reducing emissions from buildings, while continuing to deliver greater numbers of safe and affordable new homes.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what direct support they plan to provide to (1) local authorities, (2) building firms, (3) housing associations, and (4) others, to create sustainable housing developments in England.

Answered by Lord Greenhalgh - Minister of State (Home Office)

This Government provides direct and indirect support to a wide range of stakeholders, including developers, and delivery partners to ensure the 1 million homes we want to see built over this Parliament are high-quality and consistent with our commitment to net zero.

Through the National Planning Policy Framework, we empower local authorities to make place-based decisions to best reflect local needs and the importance of sustainable development. The revised Framework, which is currently out for consultation, makes a number of changes to strengthen environmental policies, and introduces climate change adaptation and mitigation as part of sustainable development.

The Construction Leadership Council, which is jointly chaired by industry and the BEIS Construction Minister, works with and supports the wider construction industry. The Green Construction Board, the sustainability work stream of the Construction Leadership Council, has worked with industry, experts and Government officials to produce recommendations on sustainable new homes and the retrofit of existing housing. Homes England also plays an important role in supporting the housing sector to deliver more sustainable homes and places.

The Government also provides direct support to the delivery of high-quality housing. For example, my Department is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing and is investing over £12 billion in affordable housing over five years, the largest investment in affordable housing in a decade. This includes the new £11.5 billion Affordable Homes Programme, which will provide up to 180,000 new homes across the country and leverage £38 billion of private investment. All homes built through the programme must meet current building regulations and the Decent Homes standard. Through our new £11.5 billion programme we will be incentivising Providers to build well-designed places by building the National Design Guide into our scoring criteria for Strategic Partnerships.

The forthcoming Heat and Buildings Strategy, will set out further actions we will take for reducing emissions from buildings, while continuing to deliver greater numbers of safe and affordable new homes.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether it is her Department's policy that workplaces that remain open during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021 must provide their staff with access to disinfectant products that are tested to the EN 14476 standard for virucidal efficacy.

Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

As each is workplace is different, it is for an employer to identify, as part of their risk assessment, how to control COVID-19 transmission. Guidance has been produced by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive that gives advice and information to employers on how to do such an assessment and make the workplace COVID-secure.

Frequent surface cleaning is one of several control measures that can be implemented to manage the transmission risk. Guidance from PHE and BEIS advises the use of standard cleaning products for frequently touched surfaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Whilst we do not specify particular products, those that have been tested to the EN 14476 standard will be effective against viruses.

HSE’s evidence is that more than 90% of the businesses checked have the right precautions in place or are willing to make necessary changes promptly and without the need for enforcement notices. HSE will continue to take enforcement action where appropriate, but the best use of its time and resource to ensure employers take the right action promptly is often to educate, persuade or require matters to be put right immediately.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of workplace covid-19 safety guidelines to (a) highlight the importance of surface disinfection and (b) ensure that workplaces are deploying the most suitable surface disinfectant products.

Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

As each is workplace is different, it is for an employer to identify, as part of their risk assessment, how to control COVID-19 transmission. Guidance has been produced by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Public Health England (PHE) and the Health and Safety Executive that gives advice and information to employers on how to do such an assessment and make the workplace COVID-secure.

Frequent surface cleaning is one of several control measures that can be implemented to manage the transmission risk. Guidance from PHE and BEIS advises the use of standard cleaning products for frequently touched surfaces to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Whilst we do not specify particular products, those that have been tested to the EN 14476 standard will be effective against viruses.

HSE’s evidence is that more than 90% of the businesses checked have the right precautions in place or are willing to make necessary changes promptly and without the need for enforcement notices. HSE will continue to take enforcement action where appropriate, but the best use of its time and resource to ensure employers take the right action promptly is often to educate, persuade or require matters to be put right immediately.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the (a) terms of reference, (b) criterion applied in the decision-making process, (c) locations and sites being considered and (d) scorings and assessments are of the considered locations for the Treasury North campus.

Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Budget 20 committed to establishing a significant new campus in the north of England focused on economic decision making, which will include teams from HM Treasury, DIT, BEIS and MHCLG. Potential locations for the economic campus in the north of England have been considered against a broad range of criteria. Our aim is to ensure the campus meets Departments’ needs and supports the Government’s wider levelling up agenda.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether Middlesbrough has been shortlisted as a location for the Treasury North campus.

Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Budget 20 committed to establishing a significant new campus in the north of England focused on economic decision making, which will include teams from HM Treasury, DIT, BEIS and MHCLG. Potential locations for the economic campus in the north of England have been considered against a broad range of criteria. Our aim is to ensure the campus meets Departments’ needs and supports the Government’s wider levelling up agenda.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average working days lost was for civil servants from (a) Black, Asian and minority Ethnic background and (b) recording themselves as White in (i) 2019 and (ii) 2020.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The latest sickness absence data for the Civil Service was published on 4 February 2021 at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-sickness-absence and includes average working days lost by sex and age for years ending 31 March 2019 and 2020. Sickness absence data by ethnicity and disability is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average working days lost was for civil servants aged (a) 30 and younger, (b) 30 to 50 (c) 50 to 60 and (d) over 60 in (i) 2019 and (ii) 2020.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The latest sickness absence data for the Civil Service was published on 4 February 2021 at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-sickness-absence and includes average working days lost by sex and age for years ending 31 March 2019 and 2020. Sickness absence data by ethnicity and disability is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the Average Working Days Lost were for (a) female and (b) male civil servants in the calendar years (i) 2019 and (ii) 2020.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The latest sickness absence data for the Civil Service was published on 4 February 2021 at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-sickness-absence and includes average working days lost by sex and age for years ending 31 March 2019 and 2020. Sickness absence data by ethnicity and disability is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the average working days lost was for (a) civil servants who have and (b) have not declared themselves as having a disability in (i) 2019 and (ii) 2020.

Answered by Julia Lopez - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The latest sickness absence data for the Civil Service was published on 4 February 2021 at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/civil-service-sickness-absence and includes average working days lost by sex and age for years ending 31 March 2019 and 2020. Sickness absence data by ethnicity and disability is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department is taking to increase provision of low carbon vocational training.

Answered by Gillian Keegan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department is taking a number of steps to help deliver the provision needed to boost skills for green jobs.

The Green Jobs Taskforce, following its launch on 12 November last year, has aims to help the UK build back greener and deliver the skilled workforce needed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. This is a joint initiative between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Department for Education.

Details of the taskforce including a full list members can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-launches-taskforce-to-support-drive-for-2-million-green-jobs-by-2030.

With help from the taskforce, we will ensure that our existing skills programmes (such as those set out in the recent Skills for Jobs White Paper and my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister’s recent Lifetime Skills Guarantee) can be directed to support the net zero agenda and help to identify where the evidence tells us we might need to go further or faster.

For example, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has convened a Green Apprenticeships Advisory Panel (GAAP) to guide the continued alignment of apprenticeships with net zero and wider sustainability objectives. The GAAP is employer-led and includes stakeholders with an interest in climate change and sustainability. It aims to help identify which apprenticeships directly support the green agenda and which may need to be refocused. The panel will also crucially identify where there are potential opportunities to create new green apprenticeships and identify employers to help take this work forward.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the use of Scottish Limited Partnerships to illegally launder money.

Answered by John Glen - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government has already acted to reduce the risk of Scottish Limited Partnerships (SLPs) being used to illegally launder money, introducing a requirement for SLPs to register Persons of Significant Control in 2017. Since then, there has been a drastic reduction in the incorporation of SLPs, which have fallen from 4,932 in 2016-17 to 657 in 2019-20.

Further to this, as part of our Economic Crime Plan, the Government issued, on 10 December 2018, its response to the consultation on the reform of limited partnership law. The reforms seek to tackle the misuse of limited partnerships, especially SLPs, while modernising the law governing them. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will bring forward legislation when parliamentary time allows.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to promote the use of UK-made steel in projects funded by his Department.

Answered by Victoria Prentis - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

The Departmental main user of steel products is the Environment Agency. Regular reports are submitted to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy who publish the six-year FCRM Capital programme of construction projects each year which may include steel content.

There is an expectation that supplier partners will use the Contracts Finder website to advertise any sub-contracting opportunities outside their established supply chain.

All Government departments and arms-length bodies are required to consider socio-economic and environmental factors when procuring steel, not just cost alone.

Sustainability, quality and price criteria are used when selecting suitable suppliers. Our new Social Value Model (published in September last year) requires central Government departments to expressly evaluate environmental, social and economic benefits as part of the procurement process (for qualifying procurements).

In addition, the Government is currently consulting on an ambitious package of major procurement reform. The Government’s aim is to create a simpler and more flexible regime that works much better for British businesses, including steel business, while still complying with our international obligations. The proposals made will help ensure that public procurement at all levels actively helps achieve national strategic priorities, generating economic growth, helping our communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and tackling climate change. The consultation closes on 10 March.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to increase the use of biodegradable plastic which can naturally biodegrade.

Answered by Rebecca Pow - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

While biodegradable materials may be seen as a solution to reduce the impact of waste, they can also be more environmentally damaging than non-biodegradable materials if disposed of incorrectly. The Government is also concerned that, in the absence of robust standards, claims about the biodegradability of plastic-based products cannot be verified.

In order to consider impacts carefully, Defra and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy published a call for evidence to help us consider the development of standards or certification criteria for bio-based, biodegradable, and compostable plastics, and to better understand their effects on the environment and our current waste system. We are currently analysing responses to the call for evidence with a view to publication of a government response shortly.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what powers the Health and Safety Executive has to investigate factories in Leicester where the failure to implement covid-19 safety measures is a serious risk to public health.

Answered by Mims Davies - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Under Section 20 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, HSE Inspectors have a range of powers that they can use to investigate reported incidents and concerns, including those relating to implementation of Covid 19 safety measures in factories in Leicester.

Inspectors have the right to enter premises to carry out their functions at any reasonable time. They have the right to ask questions, to examine documents and to take copies. They also have the right to talk to employees and safety representatives, as required.

Inspectors have the power to issue Improvement Notices where they identify a breach of health and safety legislation or to issue Prohibition Notices where they identify a risk of serious personal injury. They also have powers to institute proceedings in Court where there has been a serious breach of health and safety legislation.

Throughout the pandemic, HSE has actively engaged with businesses, through site visits and phone calls, investigating reports from those raising concerns, assessing compliance with health and safety law, and using guidance such as that published about social distancing from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19) to ensure businesses are adhering to requirements. HSE has also provided support to local public health bodies who lead on dealing with outbreaks.

HSE continues to regulate in areas of highest risk and industries where concerns of Covid-19 transmission are greatest.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what the cost to the public purse has been of the team responsible for administering the Local Growth Fund in each of the last three years; and what the cost will be of the team responsible for administering the Levelling-up Fund.

Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Local Growth Fund (LGF) supports capital projects designed to deliver local economic growth through Mayoral Combined Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships. The Cities and Local Growth Unit (CLGU), is a joint BEIS and MHCLG civil service team, overseeing LGF alongside other local growth programmes examples of these are the Towns Fund, Coastal Communities Fund and Devolution Deals . It is not therefore possible to provide a breakdown of exact FTE or costs for this programme.

The Levelling Up Fund will invest in local infrastructure that has a visible impact on people and their communities and will support economic recovery. The Fund will be jointly managed by the Treasury, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Department for Transport.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many FTE staff in his Department (a) were responsible for the Local Growth Fund in (i) 2019-20 and (ii) 2020-21 and (b) will be responsible for the Levelling Up Fund once the Local Growth Fund funding comes to an end.

Answered by Luke Hall - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

The Local Growth Fund (LGF) supports capital projects designed to deliver local economic growth through Mayoral Combined Authorities and Local Enterprise Partnerships. The Cities and Local Growth Unit (CLGU), is a joint BEIS and MHCLG civil service team, overseeing LGF alongside other local growth programmes examples of these are the Towns Fund, Coastal Communities Fund and Devolution Deals . It is not therefore possible to provide a breakdown of exact FTE or costs for this programme.

The Levelling Up Fund will invest in local infrastructure that has a visible impact on people and their communities and will support economic recovery. The Fund will be jointly managed by the Treasury, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, and the Department for Transport.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what recent discussions his Department has had with the (a) Department for Work and Pensions and (b) Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the effect of the Skills for Jobs white paper reforms on future employment.

Answered by Gillian Keegan - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Officials in the department have met regularly with other departments before and after the publication of the Skills for Jobs White Paper, including officials at the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Further engagement is also planned in order to oversee implementation and ensure the proposals in the white paper deliver productivity growth and improved future employment outcomes.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make an assessment of the effectiveness of the guidance on face coverings for people working in food preparation environments following recent ONS findings that they are more at risk of contracting covid-19 in their place of employment.

Answered by Jo Churchill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Employers and businesses have existing legal obligations to manage workplace health and safety risks through the Health and Safety at Work Act and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. In addition, The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has provided detailed guidance on working safely during the pandemic for specific workplace settings. Employers must complete an assessment of the risks of COVID-19 in the workplace, using the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy’s guidance to inform decisions and identify control measures to manage that risk.

These measures, including social distancing and increased surface cleaning, remain the best ways of managing risk in the workplace. Should workers choose to wear face coverings in addition to the more vital measures, their employer should support them in this.

It is mandatory for workers to wear a face covering in an array of indoor areas which are open to the public and where they come or are likely to come within close contact of a member of the public, to limit the risk of transmission as the public move around and to protect both staff and customers. We will be keeping the situation and the evidence under review and will take further action if needed.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what the terms of reference are for the COP26 Private Finance Hub.

Answered by John Glen - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Treasury is supporting preparations for COP26 across a range of policy areas, including private finance. There is a team of 19 staff, drawn from secondees across the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, as well as HM Treasury officials working on this area. The team reports to the Chancellor and Treasury ministers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase apprenticeship opportunities in the clean energy industry.

Answered by Baroness Berridge - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Apprenticeships will be more important than ever in helping businesses in all sectors to recruit the right people and develop the skills they need to recover and grow.

To help employers offer new apprenticeships, as part of government's Plan for Jobs, they are now able to claim £2,000 for every new apprentice they hire under the age of 25, and £1,500 for new apprentices aged 25 and over. As set out by my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, at the Spending Review, we have extended the eligibility period for these incentives until 31 March 2021, continuing our support for employers during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Apprenticeship standards developed by the energy industry include Community Energy Specialist, Power Engineer, Junior Energy Manager and Duel Fuel Smart Meter Installer. A full list of standards can be found here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeship-standards/. The number of starts on these standards can also be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/data-tables/permalink/9a3c580e-cb78-4331-a055-5d147b4e1ff0.

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) has convened a Green Apprenticeships Advisory Panel to guide the Institute in encouraging trailblazers to align apprenticeships to net zero and wider sustainability objectives. The group comprises of employers with a strong footprint in the clean energy industry and introduces them to other crucial stakeholders to help identify which apprenticeships currently directly support the green agenda and which apprenticeships may need refocusing.

The Department for Education and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy launched the Green Jobs Taskforce on 12 November 2020 to help the UK build back greener and deliver the skilled workforce needed to reach net zero emissions by 2050. Working with employers and relevant stakeholders, the taskforce will develop an action plan to support 2 million good quality, green jobs and the skills needed by 2030, and so support the UK to transition to a net zero economy and deliver a green recovery. Details of the taskforce can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-launches-taskforce-to-support-drive-for-2-million-green-jobs-by-2030.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what incentives are in place for schools in England (1) to measure, and (2) to reduce, carbon emissions.

Answered by Baroness Berridge - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

Reduction in energy use in new and existing buildings to meet the net zero carbon emissions by 2050 target is a priority for the UK government.

The department published the Good Estate Management for Schools guidance in April 2018. The guidance includes a section on ‘Energy and water management’, and tips on reducing energy and water use in schools, including measuring energy and water consumption. It also signposts schools to other organisations that provide training, information, and support in relation to sustainability and energy efficiency in schools.

In 2020, the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy setup the £1 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme which provided grants for public sector bodies including schools to fund energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation measures. This scheme has now ended, however, schools can apply for funding through Salix for projects to reduce carbon emissions as well as accessing funding through the department’s own Condition Improvement Fund for improvements to buildings and services within schools which contribute to reducing emissions.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on reducing the (a) number and (b) complexity of business support grants currently administered by local authorities; and if he will ensure that future support for businesses at Budget 2021 is channelled through existing support schemes.

Answered by Kemi Badenoch - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)

Several of the current business grant schemes are tied to specific COVID-19 restrictions, such as business closures. The number of business grant schemes currently in operation reflects the changes in restrictions in different parts of England since the schemes were announced last autumn, demonstrating that the Government’s approach to supporting the economy evolves as the public health response does.

It should be noted that where there are multiple versions of guidance in circulation for the same scheme, with different versions covering different time periods, the eligibility criteria for that scheme does not vary between guidance. Local authorities should therefore not see multiple versions of guidance as an obstacle to paying out grants. BEIS officials and ministers are also working closely with local authorities to ensure they have the support and guidance they need to deliver grants to businesses as quickly as possible.

The current business grant schemes reflect the latest national lockdown as announced by the Prime Minister in January, which is necessary to save lives and protect the NHS. In recognition of the fact that these necessary restrictions would lead to further challenges for businesses, we announced an additional £4.6 billion of business grant support. The Government is keeping the business support package under review as the epidemiological situation evolves.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of retrofitting schools, colleges and universities to net-zero emission standards by 2030.

Answered by Nick Gibb - Minister of State (Education)

Reduction in energy use in new and existing buildings to meet the legislative zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050 is a priority for the Government.

Schools can use their condition funding to invest in improving energy efficiency. Since 2015, the Department has allocated £9.5 billion to maintain and improve school buildings, including an additional £560 million in financial year 2020-21. The latest Spending Review committed a further £1.8 billion in financial year 2021-22 for maintaining and improving the school estate.

The Further Education (FE) Capital Transformation Fund delivers the Government’s £1.5 billion commitment to upgrade the FE college and designated institutions’ estate in England. This will target colleges in the worst condition and promote efficient use of space and support the government's objectives on achieving net zero carbon.

In 2020, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy set up the £1 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme which provided grants for eligible public sector bodies, including schools and FE colleges to fund energy efficiency and heat decarbonisation measures. Higher education (HE) institutions were also eligible for these grants.

Whilst this scheme has now ended, schools, FE and HE institutions can apply for interest free loans through the government’s Salix scheme for public sector projects that improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of current fire safety regulations when addressing community safety aspects of lithium batteries.

Answered by Kit Malthouse - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office is responsible for the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which covers non-domestic premises and puts an onus on responsible persons to ensure they have appropriate firs safety measures in place to protect the lives of those who have access to or use of the premises.

Products using lithium batteries are covered by product safety regulations, for which the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is responsible. The Government is committed to ensuring there is an effective product safety system so that only safe products can be sold in the UK. We have some of the most robust product safety requirements in the world. Manufacturers and importers must ensure that products are safe before they are placed on the market. They must monitor the safety of their products in use and take action if a safety issue is identified. Enforcement authorities have powers to take action against manufacturers, importers and distributors of unsafe goods.

The Home Office will continue to work in collaboration with the National Fire Chiefs Council and local fire and rescue services to consider the impact of increased use of lithium-ion batteries in domestic settings.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, which Minister has responsibility for the COP26 Private Finance Hub; how many staff work in the Hub; how many of those staff are seconded from Departments, organisations or bodies outside of his Department; and if he will list those Departments, organisations or bodies from which those staff are seconded.

Answered by John Glen - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Treasury is supporting preparations for COP26 across a range of policy areas, including private finance. There is a team of 19 staff, drawn from secondees across the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority, the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, as well as HM Treasury officials working on this area. The team reports to the Chancellor and Treasury ministers.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many (a) gasworks and (b) former gasworks sites (i) there are in total, (ii) are being redeveloped and (iii) have been redeveloped in (A) London and (B) England.

Answered by Christopher Pincher - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Statistics published by BEIS show that the last gas works in England closed in 1988. Information is not held centrally on the number of former gasworks sites that there are in London or in England as a whole.

Robust figures are not held centrally by MHCLG on the numbers of former gasworks sites that have been redeveloped, or are being redeveloped, in London or in England as a whole.

Found: business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available from the Industrial Energy Directorate, Department

Found: Memorandum from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Found: 1 NATIONAL SECURITY AND INVESTMENT BILL Supplementary Memorandum from the Department

On Wed 17 March 9.30am, we're holding a session to explore the new Advanced Research & Invention Agency (ARIA), science funding and R&D. 👉Dominic Cummings, former Chief Adviser to the Prime Minister 👉@KwasiKwarteng, Secretary of State for BEIS. We'll stream live on twitter. - Tweet Link

This is great news! I was close to this issue at BEIS and what @trussliz has achieved is brilliant news for Scotch Whisky & many other products. Liz’s perseverance has truly paid off. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Good for the Union. https://t.co/djY3jicNKJ - Tweet Link

Today I asked the BEIS Secretary of State what the Government is doing to encourage the making of electric vans in the United Kingdom. #electricvehicles #business https://t.co/gf27n39RRX - Tweet Link

BEIS Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) webinar on Thursday 11 March is a great opportunity for businesses to get info on how to bid for up to £40m in grant funding to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. https://t.co/J8ReFJGycq - Tweet Link

Departmental Cttees (BEIS, DEFRA etc) cld just launch work on EU aspects of their resps. Would be better if there were cross-party agreement thro' Liaison Cttee & that was endorsed by govt https://t.co/AsEifBXdDo - Tweet Link

It's well worth listening to Deborah Annett's (Incorporated Society of Musicians) testimony at @CommonsDCMS' inquiry into EU visa arrangements for creative workers. DCMS - "Lack bite" BEIS - "Incompetent" Home Office - "Don't understand the creative industries" #WorkingintheEU https://t.co/gfBbLzmEdc - Tweet Link

What's striking about this is how little sway DCMS had in the negotiations - BEIS did the visa/ work permits talks, DFT led on cabotage, Home Office got to have a say on borders. https://t.co/eHEvXetZRU - Tweet Link

as a matter of fact Charlie the Vaccines Taslforce, which has been the stand-out success, was in BEIS https://t.co/BcOwnXsJ7n - Tweet Link

Some of what I've been up to in Parliament this week, standing up for Warrington North. Alongside my normal virtual surgeries, I have also met with a number of organisations including Warrington and Vale Royal College, and the BEIS Committee inquiry into decarbonising heat. https://t.co/cJHYmwO6wE - Tweet Link

Found: BEIS and the Bank have estimated between 35% and 60% of the loans may˚not be repaid, with a currently

Found: working Sector(s): Energy and environment, Infrastructure, Transport Department(s): Department

Found: zerofl greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.2 The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS

Found: zerofl greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.2 The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS

Found: In order to manage the associated risks, BEIS has put in place a programme of work pulling expertise

Found: including net zero emissions), on which the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS

Found: -19: How we are working Sector(s): Energy and environment, Tax Department(s): Department

Found: including net zero emissions), on which the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS

Found: summaries 2018 to 2019 Home Office Board: meetings with external organisations, October to December 2012 BEIS

Found: the managing authority and The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS

Found: The new 5 Energy Hubs set up by BEIS to support the LC agenda locally, and the MA are running a pilot

Found: applications; o Regularly updating the FAQ document; and o Ensure ERDF funding expertise is available in BEIS

Found: the managing authority and The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS

Found: For the time taken, a document referenced by Regulatory Policy Committee (ibid), BEIS (2017) quotes

Found: To promote international collaboration the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and

Found: The UK Government Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the UAE Ministry

Found: under regulation 12(4) ; fiUKSAfl means the United Kingdom Space Agency , an executive agency of the Department

Found: funding distributed under the ™Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund and Small Business Grant Fund‚, Department

Found: run by the Centre for Digital Built Britain (a partnership between the University of Cambridge and Department

Found: . % of Total Dept. for Business, Innovation ,Energy and Strategy BEIS 20 9 0.45 2 0.1 7 3 0.428571428571429

Found: detailed guideline s published by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS

Found: susan.dawson@education.gov.uk project_4543 Europass 2021-2024 The Europass agreement migrated from BEIS

Found: requirementMediumsusan.dawson@education.gov.ukproject_4543Europass 2021-2024The Europass agreement migrated from BEIS

Found: Strategy Fund -0.272 To HMRC for Gulf Strategy Fund -0.41 To HO for Gulf Strategy Fund -0.223 To BEIS

Found: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 3.The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial

Found: Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy 3.The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial

Found: Transfer in from Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for LCSF (Section DEL-F) 948,000

Found: Transfer in from Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy for LCSF (Section DEL-F) 948,000

Found: ntech sector, including Government departments (such as HM Treasury, DIT, DCMS, DWP, Cabinet O˚ce and BEIS

Found: COVID -19 Impact and Recovery Survey, August 2020 4 It works with: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Department

Found: We look forward to receiving the Government™s response. 5 Department for Business, Energy and Industrial

Found: teams Home Office Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Information Commissioner™s Office (ICO) Department

Found: Transport planning proposals: Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government Energy proposals: Department

Found: millions) Business Impact Target score (£ millions) Business Net Present Value (£ millions) BEIS

Found: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy published the Government’s report covering

Found: experiences - of - mothers_1.pdf 5 the Department for Busin ess, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS

Found: run by the Centre for Digital Built Britain (a partnership between the University of Cambridge and Department

Found: We use the de flator series from the BEIS carbon values 49 to calculate the equivalent value in 2015

Found: Secretary of State BEIS Minister for Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility BEIS Chief

Found: technology -enabled services, looking at inequalities, access, and innovative serv ice delivery (BEIS

Found: Examples of dialogue topics suggested by the groups included: Transport and work (BEIS, DWP, DfT

Found: Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic BBSRC Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council BEIS

Found: Secretary of State BEIS Minister for Climate Change and Corporate Responsibility BEIS Chief

Found: Share of life sciences academic citationsoThis indicator is based on a biennial report published by the department

Found: Not all comfortable reading for BEIS, but that™s besides the point.

Found: 79200 302 Barnet 3022078 Pardes House Primary School Primary 7 7 7 13 6 2640 302 Barnet 3022079 Beis

Found: It is sponsored by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

Found: The OME is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) .

Found: emissions for the UK by 2050 2020-2023 On Target Continue collaboration with the NDA group and BEIS

Found: members) accounted for £32,000 each reporting year. 20 Annex A Œ Expanded department names BEIS

Found: restatement of comparatives and both the The Agency manages three science parks on behalf of the Department

Found: The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) consulted on the ˜rst statutory

Found: COVID -19 Impact and Recovery Survey, August 2020 4 It works with: UK Space Agency (UKSA) Department

Found: DepartmentforBusiness,Energy &IndustrialStrategy AB1Building CrimonPlace Aberdeen AB101BJ Tel Fax www.gov.uk/beis

Found: DepartmentforBusiness,Energy &IndustrialStrategy AB1Building CrimonPlace Aberdeen AB101BJ Tel Fax www.gov.uk/beis

Found: RITY (OGA) DECISIONS for Evelyn Field Development Tailwind Mistral Ltd UKCS Block 21/30 BEIS

Found: DepartmentforBusiness,Energy &IndustrialStrategy AB1Building CrimonPlace Aberdeen AB101BJ Tel Fax www.gov.uk/beis

Found: Transport planning proposals: Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government Energy proposals: Department

Found: business, the voluntary sector and the public sector is available from the Industrial Energy Directorate, Department