Asked by: Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish the details of (1) the criteria they will apply to, and (2) the timetable for making, a decision on participating in (a) Horizon 2020, and (b) Erasmus Plus, after the transition period of the UK's departure from the EU.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
On the issue of Horizon Europe, I refer the noble Lord to the answer I gave to the noble Lord Bassam of Brighton on 20th May 2020 to Question HL3887.
On the issue of Erasmus Plus, the Government remains open to considering participation the next Erasmus+ programme, provided it is in the UK’s interest to do so.
The UK will consider options for participation in elements of Erasmus+ on a time limited basis, provided they are in line with UK interests and we can agree a fair and proportionate financial contribution. Erasmus+ is a complex programme with very many elements, of which some provide value to the British taxpayer. This will be subject to our ongoing negotiations with the EU.
We will, in parallel with these negotiations, continue to develop a domestic alternative to Erasmus+, to ensure we are prepared for every eventuality as the Government remains committed to international exchanges in education, both with the EU and beyond.
Asked by: Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking, or plan to take, to support the UK offshore oil and gas industry and its supply chain through (1) the changes in the global oil market, and (2) the COVID-19 pandemic. [T]
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
My Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced a host of measures to help business in this period with £330bn worth of government backed and guaranteed loans to support businesses across the UK. These support measures remain under review and have been adapted based on feedback from industry to ensure they continue to meet the needs of all sectors of the economy.
Over the past month, Ministers and officials have been proactively engaging with the oil and gas sector and its supply chain by holding virtual meetings with representatives, individual businesses, trade associations, their members and the regulators to ensure that the sector can benefit from the far-reaching package of interventions that the government has put in place to help businesses through the current situation.
Officials in the Department are working closely with the Oil and Gas Authority, to monitor and mitigate the impacts of low oil prices and Covid-19 on the sector and track any financial and operational risks, particularly any that could impact on health, safety, the environment or security of supply.
Asked by: Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they are taking to encourage the installation of domestic combined heat and power systems.
Answered by Lord Henley
Government has encouraged the installation of domestic micro-combined heat and power systems (with an electrical capacity of 2 kilowatts or less) through the Feed-in Tariffs scheme which was introduced in April 2010.
Asked by: Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have a preferred alternative source of fuel for domestic central heating of homes not on the gas grid.
Answered by Lord Henley
The Clean Growth Strategy committed Government to phase out the use of fossil fuel heating in all buildings off the gas grid. Last year we engaged widely with industry and consumers to gather evidence to inform policy decisions. Respondents felt that it was highly likely that a range of technologies would be needed and that there was no single solution that would be appropriate for all buildings.