Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent representations she has received from the Welsh government on the future of the steel industry in Wales.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
Steelmaking remains a vital part of the Welsh economy and this Government is working tirelessly to secure a sustainable future for Port Talbot Steelworks. This deal delivers a £1.25 billion pound joint investment package with Tata, comprising of £500 million pounds from the UK Government.
The Welsh Government are not currently providing capital funding towards this project. The Transition Board; established to support affected employees and the local economy has up to £100m of funding. Over the last month, I have engaged with the Welsh government through the Transition Board and a ministerial call.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment she has made of potential effect on the government of China's decision to restrict export of critical minerals including gallium and germanium on the competitiveness of the UK economy and the transition to net zero.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
Gallium and germanium have a range of applications in electronics and communications sectors. The new Chinese export controls applying to germanium, gallium and related items coming into effect on 1st August this year may have impacts on the global supply chains for these sectors. Along with international counterparts, we are following the situation closely and are assessing risks this poses to the UK.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending Ofcom's regulatory role to include courier services.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
The Postal Services Act 2011 provides Ofcom with powers to impose conditions on postal operators, including courier services. Ofcom consulted on consumer protection in the parcels market, as part of its 2022 review of postal regulation. As a result, new guidance came into effect in April 2023 on how Ofcom expects parcel operators to comply with their current obligations.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of strengthening consumer protections for people in isolated properties in rural areas to which courier services do not deliver.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Shadow Secretary of State for Business and Trade
The Government imposes a Universal Service Obligation (USO) on Royal Mail, requiring delivery of parcels up to 20 kilograms 5 days-a-week at uniform rates throughout the UK, with-out any geographical restrictions. Outside of the USO, delivery practices remain commercial decisions for parcel operators. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 require all retailers to provide up front information to consumers regarding any delivery restrictions.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had recent discussions with the Welsh Government on the implications for her policies of the report by the British Geological Survey for the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre entitled Potential for Critical Raw Material Prospectivity in the UK, published on 17 April 2023.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
“Potential for Critical Raw Material Prospectivity in the UK” was a study undertaken by CMIC, a programme sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered by the British Geological Survey. This report delivers on the Critical Minerals Strategy’s commitment to collate UK geoscientific data and identify areas of geological potential for critical mineral extraction. It is a preliminary assessment, and its findings do not mean prospective areas identified will necessarily be targeted for exploration and mining. The
Government is working with the British Geological Survey to understand next steps and will engage with Devolved Administrations when appropriate.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what recent discussions she has had with the Critical Minerals Intelligence Centre on (a) the amount of critical mineral deposits available in Wales and (b) the value of those deposits.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
“Potential for Critical Raw Material Prospectivity in the UK” was a study undertaken by CMIC, a programme sponsored by the Department for Business and Trade and delivered by the British Geological Survey. This report delivers on the Critical Minerals Strategy’s commitment to collate UK geoscientific data and identify areas of geological potential for critical mineral extraction. It is a preliminary assessment, and its findings do not mean prospective areas identified will necessarily be targeted for exploration and mining. The
Government is working with the British Geological Survey to understand next steps and will engage with Devolved Administrations when appropriate.