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 HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to postpone the introduction of the UK Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism beyond 1 January 2027; and what assessment they have made of the potential effects of postponement on steel producers and downstream steel-consuming businesses.
Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) will come into force on 1 January 2027 as planned.
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 HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recommendations in the final report of the Law Commission entitled Review of the Friendly Societies Acts 1974 and 1992, published on 10 September.
Answered by Lord Pitt-Watson - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government will carefully consider the Law Commission's Review of the Friendly Societies Acts 1974 and 1992.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment it has made of the practical incentives, other than retention payments, available to ensure good building construction practices.
Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)
Since 2023, dutyholders, including clients, principal contractors and principal designers, are regulated through the building control process. Prosecutions may be brought for breaches of the building regulations under Section 35 of the Building Act 1984 where appropriate. The government has also accepted a recommendation of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry Report to introduce principal contractor licensing, to ensure principal contractors working on higher-risk buildings are appropriately competent. We are progressing work to develop this recommendation, which includes a review of the dutyholder regime and whether it is working as intended. This will inform the design of an effective licensing scheme. We expect to publish the findings from the review in late 2026.
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.