British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme

Debate between Earl Russell and Baroness Lloyd of Effra

Wednesday 22nd April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The noble Lord is right that there are many thriving and growing businesses, industries and sectors in the country. Not all of those are going to be covered by the BICS. In the eligibility consultation that we put out before this confirmation, that was one of the questions that we consulted on. We expanded the scope, from the beginning to the end of the consultation, from what we thought was going to be about 7,000 businesses to 10,000 businesses. The focus of the scheme is on the strategic manufacturing sector supporting frontier industries, as the noble Lord mentioned, and foundational manufacturing industries. We are looking carefully at supply chains—for example, fertiliser availability and cost—as we monitor the impact of the current situation in the Middle East.

[Earl Russell (LD)]

My Lords, I thank the Minister for her response. I pick up on a point that my noble friend made as part of her formal response to the Statement in relation to the retail energy market. The Minister may need to go away and think about it, and that may well be the answer. Does the Minister admit that there is scope for further action to make sure that the retail energy market is more competitive and that SMEs are able to secure good energy deals, there is competition in that market and they have access to the ombudsman scheme?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The noble Earl has raised the question again and he is right to draw my attention to the fact that I did not address it the first time round. This scheme will be subject to the Subsidy Control Act and the necessary declarations. That detail is set out in the consultation paper that we published. On his specific question about the CMA and the retail energy market, I will revert to him.

AI Growth Lab

Debate between Earl Russell and Baroness Lloyd of Effra

Thursday 26th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

As the noble Viscount knows, we published our report and impact assessment on AI and copyright and we have outlined three or four specific areas we will be taking forward, including digital replicas, AI labelling and looking at mechanisms for creatives to control their works online. It is clear that we need to keep considering the approach and we have not as yet found a solution that will address all the concerns.

[Earl Russell (LD)]

My Lords, the Government have conspicuously rebranded their AI Safety Institute as the AI Security Institute and have been shifting their language from “safety” to “growth”. Can the Minister confirm that safety obligations will be among the regulatory red lines that can never be modified in the sandbox, and, if safety is genuinely protected, why are the Government so reluctant to bring forward safety duties in a proper AI Bill?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

There will indeed be safeguards built into the AI growth lab. Modification powers would operate with robust safeguards to protect fundamental rights and safety. The lab’s design must balance the need for rapid reform and, as both noble Lords have mentioned, the importance of retaining public trust and confidence in the UK’s high regulatory standards.

Built Environment Sector

Debate between Earl Russell and Baroness Lloyd of Effra

Tuesday 28th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for his active interest in this area. The nationally significant infrastructure projects regime is separate from other planning regimes and operates under different legislation. My noble friend will recognise that the Planning and Infrastructure Bill will speed up and streamline the delivery of new homes and critical infrastructure, supporting delivery of the Government’s plan for change milestones, building 1.5 million safe and decent homes in England, and fast-tracking 150 planning decisions for major economic infrastructure projects by the end of this Parliament.

[Earl Russell (LD)]

My Lords, we welcome this important report. It has highlighted the skills shortage of between 100,000 and 170,000 jobs needed annually to ensure that this sector continues to grow. As well as welcoming the Minister to her post, I ask her specifically what further actions the Government are taking to ensure that these skills gaps are filled, so that our economy can grow.

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The noble Earl makes an extremely important point. He will recall that, at the Spring Statement, the Government announced a £625 million package to boost construction skills. This aims to deliver up to 60,000 additional skilled workers and includes everything from foundation apprenticeships, the expansion of skills boot camps specially tailored for the construction industry and the establishment of construction technical excellence colleges. This will all be overseen by the Construction Skills Mission Board, which is a collaborative partnership.