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Written Question
Fossil Fuels: Finance
Tuesday 16th February 2021

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what proportion of (a) UK Export Finance and (b) official development assistance investments in fossil fuel projects in the last five years have been made in gas projects which would fall under the exclusions identified in the Government consultation on aligning UK international support for the clean energy transition.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Until the Government has completed its assessment of the responses to the consultation and finalised the policy in this area, details of the final parameters of the exemptions remain subject to change. Additionally, as this policy was neither in place nor under consideration during the period in question, UK Export Finance (UKEF) does not hold sufficient data to assess whether an exemption could have been applied to certain projects which otherwise could not be supported under the new policy. Similarly, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office does not hold sufficient data about official development assistance in the form required. Consequently we are unable to provide this information other than at disproportionate cost.


Written Question
Fossil Fuels: Finance
Tuesday 16th February 2021

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether UK Export Finance will continue to consider requests for support for fossil fuel projects during the consultation process on aligning UK international support for the clean energy transition.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

As the Prime Minister stated in his announcement on 12 December 2020, the government will continue to apply current policy for all in-scope activities, until the new policy is implemented following the consultation.


Written Question
Fossil Fuels
Tuesday 16th February 2021

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Government's policy on aligning UK international support for the clean energy transition, as announced by the Prime Minister on 12 December 2020, whether (a) ports, (b) airports and (c) other fossil fuel associated infrastructure which are built to facilitate the development of fossil fuel projects and petrochemical facilities which make use of oil and gas will be precluded from overseas UK assistance.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Government will provide further details underpinning the policy shift, alongside the government’s response to the consultation that closed on 8th February.


Written Question
Fossil Fuels: Finance
Thursday 11th February 2021

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many of the fossil fuel projects UK Export Finance had planned for 2021 will continue; and where those projects will be located.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

In line with the Prime Minister’s announcement, UK Export Finance (UKEF) will continue to consider fossil fuel projects, subject to our due diligence, until the new policy is implemented. We do not yet know what the date of implementation will be.


Written Question
Fossil Fuels: Finance
Thursday 11th February 2021

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many fossil-fuel projects UK Export Finance is planned to conclude in each of the timeframe scenarios outlined in the consultation document on aligning UK international support for the clean energy transition.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

When considering a request for support, UKEF conducts extensive due diligence, including environmental, social, and human rights due diligence and consideration of climate change, to understand the risk it is being asked to take. There are various reasons why an application to UKEF might not result in support being provided, or, if support is offered, why delays in providing that support might arise. All these factors make determining when UKEF support may, or even will, be provided difficult and imprecise.

UKEF will publish details of any projects supported in its Annual Report and Accounts.


Written Question
UK-Africa Investment Summit
Wednesday 2nd December 2020

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will publish a list of businesses and business representatives (a) invited to and (b) attending the UK-Africa Investment Summit being hosted by the UK in January 2021.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Department for International Trade (DIT) plans to host a virtual Africa Investment Conference in January 2021. This is not a second UK-Africa Investment Summit. This conference is a business engagement event intended to demonstrate our continued commitment to being Africa’s investment partner of choice, and to showcase the positive impact of new and existing UK investments in Africa.

This virtual event is not invitation-only. We plan for a range of UK and African businesses and institutions to participate online.


Written Question
Fossil Fuels: Export Credit Guarantees
Thursday 26th November 2020

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if she will make it her policy to place a moratorium on all new support for fossil fuel infrastructure projects through UK Export Finance.

Answered by Graham Stuart - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

At the UK-Africa Investment Summit in January we announced an end to the Government's support for thermal coal mining and coal power plants overseas, and we continue to keep our approach to other fossil fuel financing overseas under review.


Written Question
Department for International Trade: Living Wage
Monday 28th October 2019

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, how many staff in her Department are paid less than the London Living Wage; and what requirements her Department places on contractors to pay the London Living Wage to London-based staff.

Answered by Conor Burns

The Department for International Trade, including UK Export Finance does not employ any permanent staff within London as defined by the Living Wage Foundation paid below the London Living Wage of £10.55ph. As of 24th October, the Department does have 7 temporary members of staff who are employed within London on either the Summer Diversity Internship Programme (SDIP) or Occupational Internship Schemes run by the Department. The rate for the SDIP is set across government by the Cabinet Office at £350 per week or £9.43ph. We apply the same rate for all of the Departments internship schemes to ensure fairness.

All outsourced providers are required to pay as a minimum, either the National Minimum Wage or the National Living Wage.


Written Question
Overseas Trade
Thursday 14th December 2017

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what comparative assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on the economy of an independent trade policy and the costs of leaving the EU customs union.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The Government has been undertaking appropriate analytical work to support our exit negotiations, as any responsible Government should, in order to inform our understanding of how leaving the European Union will affect the UK.

We are going to make the most of the opportunities that our departure presents, for forging new trade relationships with other countries, including both at the World Trade Organisation and in bilateral agreements.


Written Question
EU External Trade: Turkey
Tuesday 12th September 2017

Asked by: Matthew Pennycook (Labour - Greenwich and Woolwich)

Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what recent discussions he or officials of his Department have had with the Turkish Government about that country's customs agreement with the EU.

Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

The UK Government will look to ensure continuity of trade between the UK and Turkey, following the UK's exit from the EU, factoring in the possible implications of Turkey's existing customs arrangement with the EU. As a result, officials in the Department for International Trade, the Department for Exiting the EU, the UK Permanent Representation to the EU, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office have met officials from the Republic of Turkey.