Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 5 March (HL14704), how many potential private investors or purchasers they have formally approached regarding British Steel since its transfer into public ownership; and what timetable they have established for seeking private investment.
Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government recognises that securing the long-term future of the UK’s steel sector relies on both public and private investment for modernisation. Following acquisition of British Steel in July, we have now started to test private sector sentiment around potential investment to inform any Government decisions on the future of steelmaking at Scunthorpe. Government’s ambition is a sustainable steel company that can stand on its own two feet, which is the best way of delivering long term stability for those employed at British Steel. While no decisions on investment in British Steel have been taken, my department will keep the House updated as a timetable emerges.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is the current status of the investment treaty dispute initiated by Jingye concerning British Steel; whether formal arbitration proceedings have commenced; and what assessment they have made of the potential cost to the taxpayer of legal proceedings and any compensation payable.
Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) is a well-established mechanism to help investors resolve disputes with states where they allege the state has failed to uphold its obligations under international investment law.
The UK has a longstanding track record of supporting foreign investment, including through fulfilling its obligations in the international investment agreements to which it is a party. The UK has never faced a successful ISDS claim.
The Government maintains that it has acted consistently with domestic and international law obligations. As the Government has been notified of a dispute, it would be inappropriate to comment further.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the Competition Reform Bill.
Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
This Government is pursuing an ambitious legislative programme building on the first session of this Parliament. Decisions on timetabling are a matter for the usual channels, and the House will be updated in the usual way when the Government has any updates regarding the legislative programme.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to publish the Regulating for Growth Bill.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
The Regulating for Growth Bill is set to be introduced in the current parliamentary session when parliamentary time allows.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to publish a funding plan for the Small Business Commissioner; and, if so, when they will do so.
Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government has confirmed that the Small Business Commissioner will have the resources needed to carry out its expanded functions. Detailed future funding arrangements will be determined through the usual departmental business planning and spending review processes. The Government does not currently intend to publish a separate funding plan, but will provide further information on the Commissioner's resourcing as the new functions are implemented.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish guidance for triggering investigations into poor payment practices.
Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Commercial Payments Bill provides the Small Business Commissioner with the power to investigate a larger business where there are reasonable grounds to suspect that it has persistently engaged in poor payment practices. The Commissioner must consider the extent and impact of the suspected conduct, the resources required for an investigation, and whether an investigation would be proportionate in all the circumstances. Further detail will be set out in secondary legislation.
The Government will work with the Commissioner to ensure businesses understand their obligations and to consider what operational guidance should be published before the new legislation comes into force.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Lloyd of Effra on 13 April (HL16133), on what date they intend to commence their review of the functioning of section 10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999.
Answered by Lord Leong - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The government has committed to review the functioning of section 10 of the Employment Relations Act 1999 in its entirety. As part of this review, we will engage with relevant and interested stakeholders and publish our findings in Parliament. The review will start shortly and the government will write to interested parties in due course.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether British Steel Ltd is balance-sheet solvent and cash-flow solvent, both including and excluding Government funding provided since 12 April 2025; and whether they will publish any such assessment.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish all ministerial directions issued in relation to British Steel Ltd under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025, including any directions concerning access to premises, accounting records, bank accounts, management information, insolvency proceedings, funding, trading decisions or relations with Jingye Group.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the CS01 confirmation statement filed by British Steel Ltd on 14 April 2026, stating that the company’s intended future activities were lawful, was filed with the prior knowledge, consent or direction of the Secretary of State; and whether the accuracy of that statement depended on any Government assurance, funding, direction or undertaking.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.