Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consultations they had with the aviation industry before the publication of their Industrial Strategy Green Paper Invest 2035: the UK’s modern industrial strategy and what steps they will take to enable the aviation industry to contribute to carbon removal projects in developing that Strategy.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government recognises the importance of the aviation sector to the UK economy. International connectivity, underpinned by strong airports and airlines, drives economic activity through facilitating trade and investment and enabling the movement of workers and tourists.
In the Green Paper the Government committed to engage widely throughout the development of our Industrial Strategy. This will include convening and co-design of ambitious Sector Plans for all eight growth-driving sectors (e.g. advance manufacturing). The UK approach to developing the Industrial Strategy focuses on growth that is aligned with our net zero and environmental objectives.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to establish the UK position regarding tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports; whether they will adopt similar tariffs to the EU; and what is their impact assessment of the effect of increased tariffs on the UK automotive industry.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston
My officials continue to liaise closely with industry to understand any future impact of an EU tariff and will continue to monitor developments closely. Industry have been advised that they may apply to the Trade Remedies Authority to investigate the potential need for an anti-dumping or anti-subsidy trade remedy measure.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to postpone the introduction of tariffs for electric vehicles traded between the UK and Europe; and when they expect to be able to announce the outcome of their discussions on this issue.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
We know a key concern for both UK and EU automotive industries is the 2024 change in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement’s Rules of Origin for Electric Vehicles and batteries. We have listened to the concerns of the sector on both sides and made it a priority to find a joint solution. The UK and the EU have a shared ambition to grow domestic Electric Vehicle manufacturing and battery supply chains. The European Commission’s 6th December proposal to extend the current rules for 3-years is a positive step towards providing long term certainty to industry, ensuring it remains globally competitive.
Asked by: Baroness Randerson (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 29 March 2022 (HL6989), whether FlyPop was granted a licence by the Civil Aviation Authority; and if not, what time limits have been set for businesses to become operational before monies obtained through the Future Fund are required to be repaid.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Shadow Minister (Defence)
Licensing is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority.
The repayment of monies obtained through the Future Fund is not driven by businesses becoming operational. The Future Fund is invested through a standardised 3-year term Convertible Loan Agreement (‘CLA’); the CLA either converts to equity or is repaid in accordance with the terms of the agreement. The full scheme eligibility criteria and rules can be viewed on the British Business Bank’s website.