Britain’s Battery Future Report

Debate between Lord Boateng and Baroness Lloyd of Effra

Monday 13th April 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

We are monitoring the performance and efficacy of the ZEV mandate and last year we introduced additional flexibilities, providing manufacturers with more tools to decarbonise in a way that protects jobs and boosts investment. We have a large range of measures to support people to transition to zero-emission vehicles, including salary sacrifice schemes, generous company car tax rates for electric vehicles and the new electric car grant, as well as support for local EV infrastructure to support the transition.

[Lord Boateng (Lab)]

My Lords, two-thirds of the world’s production of cobalt comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The UK produces no cobalt whatever, yet our EV manufacturing industry relies heavily upon cobalt. Cobalt is extracted in Africa using child labour, with damage to the water aquifer and a range of other environmental and political degradation. What steps are the UK Government taking to ensure that their cuts in ODA do not impact adversely on countries such as the DRC?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

My noble friend is right to highlight the importance of battery supply chains and the challenges of potential forced labour exposure, particularly upstream, in raw material extraction and in refining stages. The UK is supporting international frameworks such as the UN guiding principles and the OECD guidelines so we can contribute our expertise in responsible mining and enable UK businesses to play a role in the development of global supply chains with strengthened due diligence.

Built Environment Sector

Debate between Lord Boateng and Baroness Lloyd of Effra

Tuesday 28th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

This question is very pertinent. I am afraid that I cannot give him the full details on that right now, so, if I may, I promise to follow up in writing with him.

[Lord Boateng (Lab)]

My Lords, gardens play an important part in enhancing the built environment. Will the Minister bring her fresh eyes and keen intellect to the task of ensuring that we do not lose the Gardens Trust as a statutory consultee in these areas?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

My noble friend raises an interesting point, which I suspect has been raised in the Planning and Infrastructure Bill, but it is not one that I can respond to at this point. I apologise for that, but I will also follow up with him afterwards.