Asked by: Nic Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate the Government has made of the cost of energy in the steel sectors in the (a) UK, (b) Germany and (c) France.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
An estimate based on the latest ONS data available shows energy costs in 2016 for the manufacture of basic iron and steel in the UK at £1.5bn[1]. Eurostat data is not published at a detailed enough level to allow for a robust estimate of energy costs specific to the steel sector for different EU countries.
The Government is committed to minimising energy costs for businesses to ensure our economy remains strong and competitive.
As announced in the Budget on 29 October 2018, £315 million is being provided for an Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to support industrial energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects to bring energy costs down for vital industries, including the steel sector. Furthermore, our Industrial Heat Recovery Support Programme is now open to applications for feasibility and/or preliminary engineering studies. We will publish our response to the consultation on widening eligibility for the exemption schemes for energy intensive industries in due course.
We also continue to reduce the cumulative impact of energy and climate change policies on industrial electricity prices for key energy intensive industries. This includes a package of relief for these industries worth over £850 million since 2013, of which £271m has been provided to the steel sector in compensation as of 30 November 2018.
[1] ONS Input-Output Supply Use Tables. Data for 2016. Energy costs defined as the intermediate consumption from Manufacture of Basic Iron and Steel (24.1-3) of; Coal and lignite (05); Crude Petroleum and Natural Gas (06) + Metal Ores (07); Coke and refined petroleum products (19); Electricity, transmission and distribution (35.1); and Gas; distribution of gaseous fuels through mains; steam and air conditioning supply (35.2-.3).
Asked by: Nic Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the report entitled, Cost of energy: independent review, published by his Department in August 2017, if he will make it his policy to place all electricity policy costs into a single levy; and exempt energy intensive industry from those costs.
Answered by Claire Perry
We have taken a range of actions to reduce the cost of electricity for energy intensive industries, including a package of relief worth over £850 million since 2013, supplemented by the announcement of a £315 million Industrial Energy Transformation Fund at the Budget.
As my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy made clear in his speech of 15th November 2018 (available on gov.uk), a full exemption from all historic policy costs for all industry would add around £1.5 billion to household bills by 2020, and any future decisions must take full account of the impacts on other bill payers.
Asked by: Nic Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of the recommendations to close the gap between UK and EU industrial electricity prices for steel producers in the report, The energy price scandal, a fair power deal for UK steel, published by UK Steel in December 2018.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Government is committed to minimising energy costs for businesses to ensure our economy remains strong and competitive. The ability for our industries to be able to compete across Europe and globally is a priority for this Government.
As set out in the recent energy speech by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Government recognises that industrial electricity prices are currently higher than those in some competitor economies. The principles set out in the speech are intended to deliver policies that will lower the costs of the electricity system permanently and further details will be set out in a White Paper next year.
At the same time as reducing the costs of electricity production, the Government wants to increase industrial energy efficiency. As announced in the Budget on 29 October 2018, £315 million is being provided for an Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to support industrial energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects to bring energy costs down for vital industries, including the steel sector. Furthermore, our Industrial Heat Recovery Support Programme is now open to applications for feasibility and/or preliminary engineering studies. We will publish our response to the consultation on widening eligibility for the exemption schemes for energy intensive industries in due course.
Meanwhile, we are continuing to reduce the cumulative impact of energy and climate change policies on industrial electricity prices for key energy intensive industries. This includes a package of relief for these industries worth over £850 million since 2013, of which £271m has been provided to the steel sector in compensation to the steel sector as of 30 November 2018.
We welcome the recent report by UK Steel regarding high electricity prices and will give its recommendations careful consideration.
Asked by: Nic Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans the Government has to close the gap between industrial electricity prices in the UK and those in France and Germany.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Government is committed to minimising energy costs for businesses to ensure our economy remains strong and competitive. The ability for our industries to be able to compete across Europe and globally is a priority for this Government.
As set out in the recent energy speech by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Government recognises that industrial electricity prices are currently higher than those in some competitor economies. The principles set out in the speech are intended to deliver policies that will lower the costs of the electricity system permanently and further details will be set out in a White Paper next year.
At the same time as reducing the costs of electricity production, the Government wants to increase industrial energy efficiency. As announced in the Budget on 29 October 2018, £315 million is being provided for an Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to support industrial energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects to bring energy costs down for vital industries, including the steel sector. Furthermore, our Industrial Heat Recovery Support Programme is now open to applications for feasibility and/or preliminary engineering studies. We will publish our response to the consultation on widening eligibility for the exemption schemes for energy intensive industries in due course.
Meanwhile, we are continuing to reduce the cumulative impact of energy and climate change policies on industrial electricity prices for key energy intensive industries. This includes a package of relief for these industries worth over £850 million since 2013, of which £271m has been provided to the steel sector in compensation to the steel sector as of 30 November 2018.
We welcome the recent report by UK Steel regarding high electricity prices and will give its recommendations careful consideration.
Asked by: Nic Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to page 160 of the Industrial Strategy, published in November 2017, what progress his Department has made on reducing electricity prices for businesses.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Government is committed to minimising energy costs for businesses to ensure our economy remains strong and competitive. The ability for our industries to be able to compete across Europe and globally is a priority for this Government.
As set out in the recent energy speech by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Government recognises that industrial electricity prices are currently higher than those in some competitor economies. The principles set out in the speech are intended to deliver policies that will lower the costs of the electricity system permanently and further details will be set out in a White Paper next year.
At the same time as reducing the costs of electricity production, the Government wants to increase industrial energy efficiency. As announced in the Budget on 29 October 2018, £315 million is being provided for an Industrial Energy Transformation Fund to support industrial energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects to bring energy costs down for vital industries, including the steel sector. Furthermore, our Industrial Heat Recovery Support Programme is now open to applications for feasibility and/or preliminary engineering studies. We will publish our response to the consultation on widening eligibility for the exemption schemes for energy intensive industries in due course.
Meanwhile, we are continuing to reduce the cumulative impact of energy and climate change policies on industrial electricity prices for key energy intensive industries. This includes a package of relief for these industries worth over £850 million since 2013, of which £271m has been provided to the steel sector in compensation to the steel sector as of 30 November 2018.
We welcome the recent report by UK Steel regarding high electricity prices and will give its recommendations careful consideration.
Asked by: Nic Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that the UK has the lowest energy prices in the EU.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Government has taken a range of actions to reduce the cost of energy – including protecting 11 million households from poor value energy tariffs through the introduction of a price cap, and providing a package of relief for energy intensive industries worth over £850 million since 2013, supplemented by the announcement of a £315 million Industrial Energy Transformation Scheme at the Budget.
In his speech of 15th November (available on gov.uk), my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy set out his strategic approach to ensure consumers get a fair deal for their energy, while opening up the market to competition.
Asked by: Nic Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Cost of Energy Review published in October 2017, what steps the Government is taking to reduce the cost of electricity.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Government has taken a range of actions to reduce the cost of energy – including protecting 11 million households from poor value energy tariffs through the introduction of a price cap, and providing a package of relief for energy intensive industries worth over £850 million since 2013, supplemented by the announcement of a £315 million Industrial Energy Transformation Scheme at the Budget.
In his speech of 15th November (available on gov.uk), my rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy set out his strategic approach to ensure consumers get a fair deal for their energy, while opening up the market to competition.
Asked by: Nic Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to introduce a Steel Sector Deal.
Answered by Lord Harrington of Watford
The Government remains committed to a strong steel industry. Last year we commissioned independent research which identified future domestic market opportunities for the UK steel sector worth an additional £3.8 billion per year by 2030. In our continuing sector deal discussions, we are actively encouraging the UK steel sector to come forward with their plans to exploit these opportunities and improve their competitiveness. In parallel we are also discussing with individual steel producers their investment plans for a sustainable future. We will continue to work closely with the sector, their supply chains, the trade unions, and the devolved administrations.
Asked by: Nic Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) fulfils its mission to push the frontiers of human knowledge and understanding by appointing active research scientists to the UKRI Board.
Answered by Sam Gyimah
In line with the Higher Education and Research Act (2017), the Government has appointed UKRI Board members with experience across research, innovation and development, and on commercial and financial matters. This enables the UKRI Board to support and hold the organisation to account, ensuring it delivers effectively, rather than to supply discipline-specific expertise. That expertise is provided by the councils, who are uniquely positioned to understand the latest challenges and opportunities in their specific field, and they include a range of experts, including active researchers.
Asked by: Nic Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will amend the Equality Act 2010 to require employers to (a) allow paid breaks for breastfeeding mothers, (b) provide facilities for them to feed and store milk and (c) produce a formal written policy on breastfeeding.
Answered by Andrew Griffiths
There are clear legal requirements on employers in relation to workplace risk assessments and women who have recently given birth. Under Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), employers and self-employed people must assess the health and safety risks arising out of their work. Under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, employers must provide suitable rest facilities. Employers must provide suitable rest facilities for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
The Health and Safety Executive has recently completed a review of its guidance for employers and workers, including pregnant women and new mothers. The guidance, “New and expectant mothers who work”, contains a clear recommendation that employers provide a private, healthy and safe environment for nursing mothers to express and store milk. It makes clear that it is a mother’s decision whether she wishes to breastfeed on her return to work. The guidance also suggests that written notification from a woman that she is pregnant or breastfeeding can prompt the employer to revisit their risk assessment to identify if they need to do more to avoid exposing the mother or baby to risk.