Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what contribution will the British steel sector, including Speciality Steel UK, play in (1) delivering their Industrial Strategy, and (2) supporting growth in key sectors across the UK.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

A strong British steel sector is fundamental to delivering the Industrial Strategy, strengthening national and economic security, and supporting growth in advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defence, infrastructure and digital technologies. Through the Steel Strategy, backed by up to £2.5 billion, the Government is working to rebuild the sector, attract investment, increase demand for UK-made steel and support clean, modern production. It is a major employer in one of the UK’s most deprived areas, and it occupies a unique place in our steel ecosystem. Working towards public acquisition will preserve strategic control and enable the Government to assess all credible future opportunities, including how SSUK’s specialist capabilities can support growth, skilled employment and resilient domestic supply chains.

Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of maintaining continuity in specialist steel production in response to the lengthy accreditation and homologation processes required by customers in the (1) automotive, (2) aerospace, and (3) defence sectors.

Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)

The Government recognises that accreditation and homologation processes in the automotive, aerospace and defence sectors can take time, making the continuity of specialist steel capability important to customers and national resilience. We are working towards the public acquisition of Speciality Steel UK to preserve strategic control and enable all credible options for its future to be assessed. No final decisions have yet been taken. Options will be considered thoroughly, including on their economic and industrial benefits, contribution to regional growth and national resilience, and value for money.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to prioritise heat batteries as a tool to cut the cost of bills.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The government recognises that heat batteries can play a role in decarbonising domestic heating, noting their ability to take advantage of time-of-use electricity tariffs through charging at off-peak times. The government has committed to provide grants through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with a value of £2,500, that can support the installation of heat batteries, once appropriate standards have been implemented.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the system benefits created by heat batteries which shift demand away from peak times.

Answered by Baroness Curran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The government recognises that heat batteries can play a role in decarbonising domestic heating, noting their ability to shift demand away from peak times through charging at off-peak times. The government has committed to provide grants through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, with a value of £2,500, that can support the installation of heat batteries, once appropriate standards have been implemented.

Officials within DESNZ are in regular contact with the heat battery industry including through trade bodies.

Found: Baroness Andrews Lord Bailey of Paddington Baroness Barran Lord Gascoigne (Chair) Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe

Found: Bailey of Paddington Baroness Barran Lord Bassam of Brighton Lord Gascoigne (Chair) Baroness Griffin of Princethorpe