Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether Great British Energy is making purchases of clean energy products that (a) have and (b) are suspected of containing elements made using (i) slave and (ii) forced labour; and if he will ensure that slavery and human trafficking do not take place in its (A) business and (B) supply chains.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
UK Government is committed to rooting out human rights abuses and forced labour practices from its supply chains.
There is no place for forced labour or unethical practices in the UK’s energy transition and GBE is expected to be a leading example of adherence to the UK’s legislation and longstanding position.
Clean energy supply chains are very complex, and it is extremely difficult to confirm the exact origins of their multiple components and materials. That is why, where Government has directly procured products under GBE contracts, sourcing was conducted with support from Crown Commercial Services in line with UK procurement legislation and Modern Slavery Act 2015.
GBE continues to go further and is currently formalising its independent requirements of partners and will set out further detail over the coming months. GBE is also exploring other measures, including ways to proactively reward companies that demonstrate robust performance in this area.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, how many solar arrays in GB Energy inventory were made in part or in whole using forced labour.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy will lead the way in ethical supply chains by engaging with stakeholders to raise standards, explore alternatives to diversify high-risk supply chains, and work internationally to align with leading global partners.
As a publicly owned company, Great British Energy is expected to be a first in class example of adherence to the UK’s legislation and guidance on modern slavery, including the Modern Slavery Act 2015, and is actively engaging with partners to raise the bar globally on solar supply chain transparency and accountability.
Solar purchasing has been undertaken by Devolved Governments, Other Government Departments, NHS Trusts, and relevant Mayoral Combined Authorities, under clear expectations by GBE that they must comply with UK procurement rules, including requirements under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and Procurement Act 2023, as well as seeking out additional reassurances where necessary.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, when he intends to publish the Solar Roadmap report.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Government recently announced the re-establishment of the Solar Taskforce to bring together experts from across Government and industry. Publication of the Solar Roadmap will follow shortly and that will set out recommendations on how we and industry will work together to achieve our ambition to triple the UK’s solar capacity by 2030.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether it is his policy that solar arrays produced using polysilicon mined in Xinjiang province should not be used in the UK.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
No company in the UK should have forced labour in its supply chain. We will be working with colleagues across Government to tackle the issue of Uyghur forced labour in supply chains.
We are also relaunching the Solar Taskforce, which will focus on identifying and taking forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable and free from forced labour. This will support the significant increases in deployment of solar panels needed to meet our ambition of tripling the UKs solar power capacity by 2030.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, with reference to the China Strategic Risks Institute's report on Building a Green, Fair and Resilient Solar Supply Chain, published on 24 November 2023, if she will have discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of using funds raised through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment to help build solar supply chain capacity.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department has noted the findings of the CSRI report, including the recommendation to use funds raised through the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment to help build solar supply chain capacity.
The Solar Taskforce is considering wide-ranging actions needed to develop resilient, sustainable and innovative supply chains. This work will inform the Government’s Solar Roadmap setting out the trajectory and actions needed to deploy 70GW by 2035.
The UK’s main solar industry trade association is leading the industry’s response by developing and piloting the Solar Stewardship Initiative to further develop a responsible, transparent, and sustainable solar value chain.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the China Strategic Risks Institute's report on Building a Green, Fair and Resilient Solar Supply Chain, published on 24 November 2023.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Shadow Minister (Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Solar Taskforce is considering wide-ranging actions needed to develop resilient, sustainable and innovative supply chains. This work will inform the Government’s Solar Roadmap setting out the trajectory and actions needed to deploy up to 70GW by 2035.
The Government already encourages developers to grow sustainable supply chains through the Supply Chain Plan process included in the Contracts for Difference scheme. The Government also supports innovation in supply chains through the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund and initiatives funded by UK Research and Innovation.