Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, how Ministers will monitor the performance of the Board of British Steel Limited.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government will monitor the performance of the Board of British Steel Limited through shareholder governance arrangements, including regular reporting and engagement against objectives in the Shareholder Framework Document, which will set out the relationship between British Steel and its shareholder, the Department for Business, Innovation, Science & Trade, and will be published shortly. The Board and management will be held to account for delivery against those objectives. Ministers will also remain accountable to Parliament for the company while it is in public ownership.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether all existing customer and supplier contracts remain in force following nationalisation.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The transfer and continuity provisions were intended to preserve contractual continuity following the transfer of British Steel Limited into public ownership. Rights and obligations under existing customer and supplier contracts transferred by operation of law to the new government-owned British Steel Limited. As a result, customer and supplier contracts continue in force following nationalisation, subject to their existing terms and any future amendments agreed by the parties.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether the Government intends to retain British Steel Limited in public ownership permanently.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Public ownership provides the immediate platform from which the Government can stabilise the company and consider its future direction by exploring what opportunities there may be to deliver a long-term future for the company, including possible options for private sector investment.
The Government recognises that securing the long-term future of the UK's steel sector relies on both public and private investment for modernisation.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of nationalising British Steel Limited over (a) one year, (b) five years and (c) ten years.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Since April 2025, the Government has provided approximately £625 million for working capital at British Steel. The longer-term cost to the public purse will depend on future decisions about the company’s operations and any private sector involvement. Delivering the best outcomes for the taxpayer has been, and will remain, a key priority for this Government.
In accordance with the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026, an independent valuer will be appointed to determine what compensation, if any, is payable, and the Government will abide by that determination. A right of appeal to a court or tribunal will be provided to both parties. There is nothing preventing an outcome of nil compensation.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what was the total consideration paid by the Government in acquiring British Steel Limited.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Since April 2025, the Government has provided approximately £625 million for working capital at British Steel. The longer-term cost to the public purse will depend on future decisions about the company’s operations and any private sector involvement. Delivering the best outcomes for the taxpayer has been, and will remain, a key priority for this Government.
In accordance with the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act 2026, an independent valuer will be appointed to determine what compensation, if any, is payable, and the Government will abide by that determination. A right of appeal to a court or tribunal will be provided to both parties. There is nothing preventing an outcome of nil compensation.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of clinical waste collection services provided to GP practices in (a) Lancashire and (b) Cumbria.
Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Department of Health and Social Care has indicated that it will not be possible to answer this question within the usual time period. An answer is being prepared and will be provided as soon as it is available.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what liabilities have transferred to the Government as part of the nationalisation of British Steel Limited.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The powers in the Steel Industry (Nationalisation) Act enabled the Business Secretary to bring British Steel into public ownership by way of asset transfer. This includes all property, rights and liabilities (unless otherwise specified) and as such, any liabilities to suppliers or contractors will continue to be met by British Steel Ltd. The regulations laid on 16th July provide detail on certain exclusions, as set out in the SI schedule. The extent of some liabilities will depend on the future operational plans for the site.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what contingency plans are in place should prison capacity reach a level at which courts are unable to sentence offenders to immediate custody.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
From January 2023 to September 2024, the adult male prison estate routinely operated at over 99% of capacity, however this is unsustainable and creates serious risks to the safe and effective operation of the criminal justice system.
If prisons reach capacity, courts would be forced to suspend trials, the police to halt arrests and public safety put at risk. That is why this Government has taken decisive action to put prison capacity on a sustainable footing, including through the Sentencing Act 2026 and the delivery of 14,000 additional prison places by 2031.
We continually monitor the prison population, and in the event that pressures begin to impact the wider Criminal Justice System, HMPPS has established contingency arrangements to manage offender flows.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the risks to the operation of the criminal justice system if the adult male prison estate exceeds 99 per cent capacity.
Answered by Catherine McKinnell - Minister of State (Ministry of Justice)
From January 2023 to September 2024, the adult male prison estate routinely operated at over 99% of capacity, however this is unsustainable and creates serious risks to the safe and effective operation of the criminal justice system.
If prisons reach capacity, courts would be forced to suspend trials, the police to halt arrests and public safety put at risk. That is why this Government has taken decisive action to put prison capacity on a sustainable footing, including through the Sentencing Act 2026 and the delivery of 14,000 additional prison places by 2031.
We continually monitor the prison population, and in the event that pressures begin to impact the wider Criminal Justice System, HMPPS has established contingency arrangements to manage offender flows.
Asked by: Andrew Snowden (Conservative - Fylde)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what mechanisms exist for neighbours to make complaints relating to activities taking place in dispersed asylum accommodation.
Answered by Anna Turley - Minister of State (Home Office)
Concerns relating to asylum accommodation may be raised with the accommodation provider, local authority, Home Office or local police, depending on the nature of the issue. Providers and the Home Office will consider and respond to enquiries and complaints as appropriate. Matters within the responsibility of local authorities should be raised with the relevant local authority, and concerns relating to criminal activity should be reported to the police.