Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will prohibit the export of arms to Israel until the government of Israel allows deliveries of food and medicines to Gaza.
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
In September, we suspended all licences for exports of items for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) that might be used in military operations in Gaza, subject to the specific measures announced in Parliament with respect to the global F-35 programme.
Of the remaining licences for Israel, the vast majority are either for civilian purposes, including scientific equipment and body armour for journalists or NGOs, or for components for products for re-export to other countries.
We have taken the same approach to new licence applications since September, refusing any licences for items that could be used in military operations in Gaza.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the increase in volume of beef produced in the United States which will be sold in the UK as a result of the US–UK Economic Prosperity Deal.
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The United States is the largest single country partner for both UK exports and imports into the UK.
On 8 May the UK government announced a landmark economic deal with the US. We agreed new reciprocal market access on beef – with UK farmers given a guaranteed quota for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef exports at a very low tariff rate. Imports of hormone treated beef will remain illegal. Our approach to this trade deal has ensured that agricultural imports coming into the UK meet the highest food standards.
This government will continue to act in Britain’s national interest – for workers, for business and for families.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have taken steps, in negotiating a trade agreement with the United State of America, to ensure that food standards will not be reduced in the UK.
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We have had constructive discussions with the US on an economic deal, and we remain committed to these talks. But, as we have made clear, we will only ever sign trade agreements which align with the UK’s national interests. Our manifesto was also clear that we will always uphold our high food standards.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government by what date they anticipate that all compensation payments arising from the Post Office Horizon issue will be fully paid.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Horizon redress applications continue to be received and no deadlines have yet been set for them. However the Department’s target for the schemes which it administers is to respond to 90% of full claims within 40 working days. We hope, for example, to have settled nearly all cases in the GLO scheme by the end of 2025.
The Government remains committed to providing fair redress to all victims affected by this scandal as quickly as possible. We continue to encourage those victims who have not yet submitted a claim for redress to come forward. As of 31 March 2025, the total amount of redress paid to victims across all schemes has increased by more than three and a half times with £892 million having now been paid to over 6,200 claimants across all schemes.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many companies owned by corporations with headquarters in the USA currently have manufacturing facilities in Wales.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Wales is a prime destination for foreign direct investment from the United States.
Many companies are operating in the manufacturing sector. A number of US-owned companies are operating in Wales’ world leading compound semiconductor cluster, including KLA and Vishay. Both companies have recently announced large investments in South Wales driven by our world-class research facilities and skilled workforce.
The information is not held centrally.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the volume and value of trade between the UK and Argentina.
Answered by Baroness Gustafsson - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Trade between the UK and Argentina was worth £2 billion in the 12 months to June 2024 with our top goods exports including beverages, pharmaceuticals and manufactured goods. In October, the Secretary of State met his Argentine counterpart, the first trade-related bilateral ministerial meeting between both governments since 2019. They agreed to work together to strengthen our trade relationship further including in areas such as services, customs, and education. This will build on our existing cooperation this year which saw the largest delegation from Argentina in 20 years to London’s Metal Exchange Week in September.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions Ministers have had with (1) Tata Steel, (2) the Welsh Government, and (3) companies in the nuclear energy sector, concerning the possibility of constructing a small nuclear reactor at Port Talbot to provide energy for the manufacture of steel.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
The construction of a small nuclear reactor at Port Talbot to provide energy for the manufacture of steel has not been discussed as part of Tata Steel's plans for the construction of an Electric Arc Furnace at the site. The UK Government does not have a role in Tata Steel's energy purchasing arrangements, and the energy sources that Tata will choose to use are a commercial decision for them.
The Alternative Routes to Market for New Nuclear Projects consultation explored potential wider roles of nuclear energy beyond electricity generation, including large scale industrial applications. The consultation responses are now being analysed and will help shape future policy.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to persuade the Tata Steel Company to minimise job losses in their steel works at Port Talbot.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
As announced on the 15th of September 2023, Tata Steel is investing £1.25 billion, including a UK Government grant worth up to £500 million, in a new Electric Arc Furnace. This support is expected to save at least 5,000 jobs in the company, and thousands more in the supply chain.
Where staff are affected by the transition to an Electric Arc Furnace, Tata has a legal obligation to consult staff in a meaningful way, and this process is underway, led by the company. Whilst this is a process for the company to lead on, Ministers and officials are meeting regularly with both Tata Steel and Union representatives, and will continue to hold Tata to account during the consultation process.
Regardless of the outcome of the consultation, we are working with Tata Steel to provide up to £100 million of funding for a dedicated Transition Board, with membership including representatives of the Welsh Government, to support impacted employees and the local economy. Tata has also announced that they will provide a £130 million comprehensive support package for affected employees.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the deposits of lithium in Wales and Scotland; and whether they will ensure that all such is conveyed to the respective devolved authorities.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston
The Critical Minerals Strategy committed to collate UK geoscientific data and identify areas of geological potential for critical mineral extraction. The Department for Business and Trade commissioned the British Geological Survey to undertake the study, “Potential for Critical Raw Material Prospectivity in the UK”, delivered by the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre (CMIC) and was published in 2023. It is a preliminary assessment of geological factors only, and its findings do not mean prospective areas identified will necessarily be targeted for exploration and mining. Mineral planning policy is also a devolved matter.
Areas of potential geological prospectivity for critical minerals were identified in both Scotland and Wales. Regarding the geological prospectivity for lithium, the report identified two areas in Scotland and no areas in Wales.
Asked by: Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to encourage Tata Steel to minimise job losses in their steel works at Port Talbot.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston
The Government is providing a grant worth up to £500 million, as part of a wider £1.25 billion investment by Tata Steel. This will not only modernise Port Talbot but protect the majority of jobs for the long term.
Tata has a legal obligation to consult staff in a meaningful way, and this process is underway, led by the company. Whilst this is a process for the company to lead on, Ministers and officials are meeting regularly with both Tata Steel and Union representatives and will continue to hold Tata to account during the consultation process.
Regardless of the outcome of the consultation, we are working with Tata Steel to provide up to £100 million of funding for a dedicated Transition Board, with membership including representatives of the Welsh Government, to support impacted employees and the local economy. Tata has also announced that they will provide a £130 million comprehensive support package for affected employees.