Steve Baker Portrait

Steve Baker

Conservative - Former Member for Wycombe

First elected: 6th May 2010

Left House: 30th May 2024 (Dissolution)


Minister of State (Northern Ireland Office)
7th Sep 2022 - 5th Jul 2024
Treasury Committee
2nd Mar 2020 - 19th Oct 2021
Treasury Committee
3rd Dec 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Treasury Sub-Committee
3rd Dec 2018 - 6th Nov 2019
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Exiting the European Union)
13th Jun 2017 - 8th Jul 2018
Treasury Committee
8th Jul 2015 - 3rd May 2017
Treasury Committee
12th May 2014 - 30th Mar 2015
Transport Committee
2nd Nov 2010 - 10th Jun 2013


Division Voting information

Steve Baker has voted in 2694 divisions, and 86 times against the majority of their Party.

25 Mar 2021 - Coronavirus - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 35 Conservative No votes vs 305 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 484 Noes - 76
10 Feb 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Conservative No votes vs 327 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 526 Noes - 24
13 Oct 2020 - Public Health: Coronavirus Regulations - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 42 Conservative No votes vs 298 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 299 Noes - 82
18 Jul 2019 - Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 57 Conservative No votes vs 65 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 328 Noes - 65
9 Jul 2019 - Northern Ireland (Executive Formation) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 65 Conservative No votes vs 105 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 383 Noes - 73
9 Apr 2019 - Section 1 of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2019 - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 131 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 420 Noes - 110
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 71 Conservative No votes vs 118 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 396 Noes - 83
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 74 Conservative Aye votes vs 112 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 85 Noes - 392
8 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 71 Conservative No votes vs 114 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 390 Noes - 81
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 91 Conservative No votes vs 212 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 220 Noes - 400
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 190 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 123 Noes - 488
3 Apr 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 5) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 95 Conservative Aye votes vs 203 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 105 Noes - 509
29 Mar 2019 - United Kingdom’s Withdrawal from the European Union - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 34 Conservative No votes vs 277 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 286 Noes - 344
27 Mar 2019 - EU Exit Day Amendment - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 93 Conservative No votes vs 150 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 441 Noes - 105
19 Mar 2019 - Foreign Affairs Committee - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 21 Conservative Aye votes vs 92 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 199 Noes - 134
12 Mar 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 75 Conservative No votes vs 235 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 242 Noes - 391
16 Jan 2019 - UK Participation In The EU Agency For Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust): Post-Adoption Opt-In Decision - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 14 Conservative No votes vs 288 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 577 Noes - 20
15 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 118 Conservative No votes vs 196 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 202 Noes - 432
23 Mar 2016 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Conservative Aye votes vs 242 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 43 Noes - 245
23 Mar 2016 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 21 Conservative No votes vs 238 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 399 Noes - 42
23 Mar 2016 - Section 5 of the European Communities (Amendment) Act 1993 - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Conservative No votes vs 239 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 180
7 Sep 2015 - European Union Referendum Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 37 Conservative No votes vs 276 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 285 Noes - 312
11 Mar 2015 - Ark Pension Schemes - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 103 Conservative No votes vs 122 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 367 Noes - 113
10 Nov 2014 - Business of the House (Today) - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative No votes vs 209 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 251 Noes - 242
10 Nov 2014 - Criminal Law - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Conservative Aye votes vs 229 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 229 Noes - 272
10 Nov 2014 - Criminal Law - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 36 Conservative No votes vs 223 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 464 Noes - 38
27 Oct 2014 - Recall of MPs Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 110 Conservative Aye votes vs 135 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 166 Noes - 340
22 Oct 2014 - Independent parliamentary standards authority - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative No votes vs 185 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 384 Noes - 18
15 Jul 2014 - Data Retention and Investigatory Powers Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative Aye votes vs 224 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 56 Noes - 454
28 Apr 2014 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 221 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 50 Noes - 451
28 Apr 2014 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative No votes vs 220 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 452 Noes - 41
10 Feb 2014 - Children and Families Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 99 Conservative No votes vs 127 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 376 Noes - 107
27 Jan 2014 - European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 202 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 37 Noes - 243
27 Jan 2014 - European Union (Approvals) Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Conservative Aye votes vs 199 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 36 Noes - 240
31 Oct 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Conservative No votes vs 229 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 350 Noes - 34
30 Oct 2013 - enterprise - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative No votes vs 218 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 290 Noes - 22
29 Aug 2013 - Syria and the Use of Chemical Weapons - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 31 Conservative No votes vs 240 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 272 Noes - 285
26 Jun 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 20 Conservative Aye votes vs 197 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 37 Noes - 325
26 Jun 2013 - High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative No votes vs 199 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 330 Noes - 27
20 May 2013 - Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 56 Conservative Aye votes vs 136 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 70 Noes - 375
4 Mar 2013 - Justice and Security Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative Aye votes vs 253 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 225 Noes - 298
4 Mar 2013 - Justice and Security Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Conservative Aye votes vs 252 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 0 Noes - 0
4 Mar 2013 - Justice and Security Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 4 Conservative Aye votes vs 252 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 231 Noes - 296
28 Jan 2013 - Succession to the Crown Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 16 Conservative Aye votes vs 174 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 38 Noes - 371
31 Oct 2012 - Multiannual Financial Framework - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 51 Conservative Aye votes vs 235 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 307 Noes - 294
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 87 Conservative No votes vs 142 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 256
11 Jul 2012 - Sittings of the House - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 93 Conservative Aye votes vs 139 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 233
10 Jul 2012 - House of Lords Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 89 Conservative No votes vs 192 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 462 Noes - 124
21 Feb 2012 - London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 12 Conservative No votes vs 71 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 149 Noes - 12
21 Feb 2012 - London Local Authorities Bill [Lords] - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Conservative Aye votes vs 31 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 11 Noes - 96
20 Jan 2012 - Point of Order - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative Aye votes vs 56 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 5 Noes - 99
20 Jan 2012 - Daylight Saving Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Conservative No votes vs 66 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 119 Noes - 10
5 Dec 2011 - Ministerial Statements - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative Aye votes vs 195 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 119 Noes - 228
24 Oct 2011 - National Referendum on the European Union - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 81 Conservative Aye votes vs 209 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 111 Noes - 483
19 Oct 2011 - Deferred Division - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Conservative No votes vs 237 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 306 Noes - 95
11 Oct 2011 - Delegated legislation - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 15 Conservative No votes vs 217 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 271 Noes - 22
10 Oct 2011 - Protection of Freedoms Bill (Programme) (No. 3) - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 40 Conservative Aye votes vs 198 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 62 Noes - 243
10 Oct 2011 - Protection of Freedoms Bill (Programme) (No. 3) - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Conservative No votes vs 228 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 275 Noes - 233
7 Sep 2011 - Health and Social Care (Re-committed) Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 94 Conservative Aye votes vs 115 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 118 Noes - 368
11 Jul 2011 - Business without Debate - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 274 Noes - 246
24 May 2011 - Eurozone Financial Assistance - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 28 Conservative No votes vs 220 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 46
27 Apr 2011 - Press Self-regulation - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Conservative No votes vs 238 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 287 Noes - 20
1 Feb 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Conservative Aye votes vs 249 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 26 Noes - 295
11 Jan 2011 - European Union Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative Aye votes vs 255 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 39 Noes - 314
15 Dec 2010 - Loans to Ireland Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 25 Conservative Aye votes vs 246 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 243 Noes - 301
10 Nov 2010 - European Union Economic Governance - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Conservative No votes vs 243 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 296 Noes - 40
2 Nov 2010 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Conservative Aye votes vs 264 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 31 Noes - 549
25 Oct 2010 - Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Conservative Aye votes vs 245 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 241 Noes - 293
13 Oct 2010 - Draft EU Budget 2011 - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 35 Conservative Aye votes vs 204 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 42 Noes - 252
15 Jun 2010 - Backbench Business Committee - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 75 Conservative Aye votes vs 188 Conservative No votes
Tally: Ayes - 171 Noes - 263
27 Apr 2021 - Delegated Legislation - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 77 Conservative No votes vs 222 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 89
30 Nov 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Conservative No votes vs 268 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 434 Noes - 23
30 Nov 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 32 Conservative No votes vs 259 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 431 Noes - 36
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 38 Conservative No votes vs 271 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 441 Noes - 41
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 97 Conservative No votes vs 224 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 369 Noes - 126
14 Dec 2021 - Public Health - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 60 Conservative No votes vs 258 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 385 Noes - 100
28 Feb 2022 - Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 285 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 288 Noes - 238
28 Feb 2022 - Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 285 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 289 Noes - 237
28 Feb 2022 - Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 290 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 292 Noes - 238
28 Mar 2022 - Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 270 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 276 Noes - 202
28 Mar 2022 - Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 275 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 278 Noes - 202
20 Apr 2022 - Nationality and Borders Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Conservative No votes vs 291 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 294 Noes - 242
25 Apr 2022 - Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 3 Conservative No votes vs 297 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 300 Noes - 220
25 Apr 2022 - Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Conservative No votes vs 299 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 302 Noes - 221
22 Jun 2022 - Health and Personal Social Services - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 61 Conservative No votes vs 106 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 215 Noes - 70
16 Apr 2024 - Tobacco and Vapes Bill - View Vote Context
Steve Baker voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 58 Conservative No votes vs 179 Conservative Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 383 Noes - 67
View All Steve Baker Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
John Bercow (Speaker)
(36 debate interactions)
Theresa May (Conservative)
(36 debate interactions)
Matt Hancock (Conservative)
(36 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
HM Treasury
(226 debate contributions)
Northern Ireland Office
(221 debate contributions)
Department of Health and Social Care
(179 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Steve Baker's debates

Latest EDMs signed by Steve Baker

4th September 2019
Steve Baker signed this EDM on Wednesday 4th September 2019

CONFLICT IN KASHMIR

Tabled by: Naz Shah (Labour - Bradford West)
That this House expresses huge concern about the revocation of Articles 370 and 35A in Kashmir by the Indian Government, stripping away the right to special status for the people of Kashmir; is extremely alarmed by the road to ethnic cleansing opened up by the ongoing communications blackout and the …
27 signatures
(Most recent: 30 Sep 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 23
Conservative: 1
Independent: 1
Scottish National Party: 1
Green Party: 1
11th April 2019
Steve Baker signed this EDM on Thursday 11th April 2019

Exiting the European Union

Tabled by: William Cash (Conservative - Stone)
That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (Exit Day) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2019 (S.I., 2019, No. 859), dated 11 April 2019, a copy of which was laid before this House on 11 April 2019, be annulled.
82 signatures
(Most recent: 29 Apr 2019)
Signatures by party:
Conservative: 69
Independent: 6
Democratic Unionist Party: 6
Non-affiliated: 1
View All Steve Baker's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Steve Baker, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Steve Baker has not been granted any Urgent Questions

6 Adjournment Debates led by Steve Baker

Friday 18th March 2022
Thursday 4th February 2021
Thursday 19th December 2019
Monday 14th January 2013
Tuesday 4th September 2012
Monday 21st March 2011

2 Bills introduced by Steve Baker


A Bill to enforce strict liability on directors of financial institutions; to require directors of financial institutions to post personal bonds as additional bank capital; to require personal bonds and bonuses to be treated as additional bank capital; to make provision for the insolvency of financial institutions; to establish a financial crimes investigation unit; and for connected purposes

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Wednesday 29th February 2012

A Bill to require certain financial institutions to prepare parallel accounts on the basis of the lower of historic cost and mark to market for their exposure to derivatives; and for connected purposes

Commons - 20%

Last Event - 1st Reading: House Of Commons
Tuesday 15th March 2011

Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
4 Other Department Questions
18th Feb 2022
To ask the President of COP26, pursuant to the Answer of 30 November 2021 to Question 73823 on UN Climate Conference 2021: Aviation, if he will provide a breakdown of the 2,500,000 kWh thermal energy usage, by each thermal energy source.

Based on available estimates of floor areas for the Blue Zone and Green Zone, energy usage amounted to approximately 900,000 kWh electrical and 2,500,000 kWh thermal. This accounts for the build, live-event, and de-rig phases of the conference.

We are now receiving actual event data from our delivery partners and are working with Arup, our sustainability consultants, on collating and reconciling all data from suppliers and delivery partners to inform the final offsetting figure and ensure COP26 was a carbon neutral event. Details of the action taken to mitigate impacts in delivery and further detail on the offsetting of unavoidable emissions will be provided in our sustainability report due for publication in the coming months.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
12th Nov 2021
To ask the President of COP26, what estimate he has made of the total number of (a) flights and (b) air miles for delegates attending COP26 during the period of that Conference.

Based on available estimates of floor areas for the Blue Zone and Green Zone, energy usage amounted to approximately 900,000 kWh electrical and 2,500,000 kWh thermal. This accounts for the build, live-event, and de-rig phases of the conference.

We have estimated total emissions of 102,500t of CO2 which includes a wide range of sources – including delegate and visitor transport, accommodation, catering, energy usage, and policing and security impacts. COP26 will be a carbon neutral event, achieved through mitigating impacts in delivery and then offsetting unavoidable emissions.

Regarding flights, this data will be forthcoming from UNFCCC and will inform our final carbon reporting.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
12th Nov 2021
To ask the President of COP26, what estimate he made of the total (a) energy usage and (b) emissions before offsetting by the operation of COP26.

Based on available estimates of floor areas for the Blue Zone and Green Zone, energy usage amounted to approximately 900,000 kWh electrical and 2,500,000 kWh thermal. This accounts for the build, live-event, and de-rig phases of the conference.

We have estimated total emissions of 102,500t of CO2 which includes a wide range of sources – including delegate and visitor transport, accommodation, catering, energy usage, and policing and security impacts. COP26 will be a carbon neutral event, achieved through mitigating impacts in delivery and then offsetting unavoidable emissions.

Regarding flights, this data will be forthcoming from UNFCCC and will inform our final carbon reporting.

Alok Sharma
COP26 President (Cabinet Office)
16th Dec 2014
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the costs to small and medium-sized businesses of the practice whereby companies require a supplier company to make a payment in order to join or to remain on that company's list of suppliers.

The Department is aware that the practice of suppliers having to pay to join or remain on a supplier list is an issue in some sectors. As a result, the Government has already taken action to prohibit this practice in certain sectors.

We are currently consulting to understand the prevalence and impact of this practice economy wide. The consultation will strengthen the evidence we have on supplier lists, and will allow us to understand the necessary scope, and implications of further changes. This will ensure that any action is appropriately targeted and achieves real change on the ground.

2nd Mar 2020
To ask the Attorney General, how many cases have been brought by the Director of Public Prosecutions in respect of modern slavery at hand car washes; and how many convictions there have been as a result of those cases.

The data published by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) shows the number of defendants prosecuted for offences of human trafficking for all forms of exploitation. To obtain details on the number of defendants prosecuted for offences relating to exploitation at hand-car washes would require a manual examination of individual case files to be undertaken at a disproportionate cost.

The table below shows the number of defendants prosecuted in cases flagged as human trafficking offences in England and Wales from 2015/16 to September 2019.

Convictions

Non-Convictions

Total

Volume

%

Volume

%

2015 - 16

192

65.1%

103

34.9%

295

2016 - 17

181

61.4%

114

38.6%

295

2017 - 18

185

65.1%

99

34.9%

284

2018 - 19

219

68.0%

103

32.0%

322

April - Sept 19

114

72.2%

44

27.8%

158

Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System

11th Nov 2014
To ask the Attorney General, if the Crown Prosecution Service will take steps to ensure that all assaults against prison officers are prosecuted.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is committed to ensuring that assaults against prison officers are dealt with robustly. The CPS considers each case on its own facts and in accordance with the two stage test set out in the Code for Crown Prosecutors.The Code outlines that a prosecution is more likely to be in the public interest if the offence was committed against a person serving the public. Furthermore, the specific CPS Legal Guidance on Prison Offences outlines that, if the victim is a prison officer performing his/her duty, the public interest is heavily in favour of prosecution.

In addition to this, the new joint protocol produced by the Prison Service, CPS and Association of Chief Police Officers will set out that when there are serious assaults on prison staff, the perpetrators will be prosecuted unless there is a good reason why not.

Jeremy Wright
Shadow Attorney General
To ask the Attorney General, what discussions he has had with the Crown Prosecution Service about the pre-signing of abortion forms.

I have had no recent specific discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) about the pre-signing of abortion forms. I am aware, though, that the CPS has had discussions with the Department of Health on this and I await the outcome of these.

14th Apr 2022
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference the report published by Collateral Global entitled Understanding Definitions and Reporting of Deaths Attributed to COVID-19 in the UK, if he will take steps to require establishments to regularly verify a subset of deaths using autopsies with full medical documentation in any potential future pandemic.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the hon. Member’s Parliamentary Question of 14 April is attached.

6th Dec 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will ensure the word Christmas continues to be used in his Department's relevant publications; and if he will make a statement.

I am pleased to confirm that the Government will continue to use the word ‘Christmas’ in publications.

19th Oct 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan 2021, published on 14 September 2021, and the statement that in the event that the data suggests the NHS is likely to come under unsustainable pressure, the Government has prepared a Plan B for England, if he will define the data that would indicate that the NHS is likely to come under unsustainable pressure.

If data suggests the NHS is likely to come under unsustainable pressure, the Government has prepared a Plan B for England. The Government hopes not to have to implement Plan B. However, given the uncertainty, the Government set out details in the Autumn and Winter Plan 2021 so that the public and businesses know what to expect if further measures become necessary.

The Government will remain vigilant and monitor the data closely, using a wide range of evidence, as we have done throughout the pandemic. This includes case numbers, hospital admissions and occupancy, deaths, the ratio of cases to hospitalisations, the rate of growth in cases and hospital admissions - particularly in the over 65s.

19th Oct 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the report entitled Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee, Covid-Status Certification: Government Response to the Committee’s Second Report, published on 9 September 2021, if he will publish the equalities impact assessment that the Government conducted on covid-status certification.

As set out in the Government’s response to the Committee’s report, the Government will provide the Equalities Impact Assessment conducted on COVID-status certification ahead of the introduction of any legislation that may be required, in the normal way.

Further inquiries on COVID-status certification should be directed to my colleagues at the Department of Health and Social Care.

15th Jul 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021, published on 5 July 2021, on what date the Government plans to review covid-19 restrictions to assess the country’s preparedness for autumn and winter 2021; and what the format of that review will be.

As set out on 12 July in the Moving to step 4 of the roadmap publication, in September, the Government will undertake a review to assess the country’s preparedness for autumn and winter, which will consider whether to continue or strengthen public and business guidance.

The Coronavirus Act and remaining regulations throughout the autumn and winter will be kept under review.

20th May 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many people under the age of 35 without a co-morbidity have died from covid-19 in English hospitals since the outbreak of covid-19; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have, therefore, asked the Authority to respond.

Julia Lopez
Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
24th Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's consultation, COVID-Status Certification Review - Call for evidence, published on 15 March 2021, how that consultation is planned to assess the cost to businesses of COVID-Status Certification and its implications; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the previous response provided in PQ171522.

24th Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's consultation, COVID-Status Certification Review - Call for evidence, published on 15 March 2021, how that consultation is planned to assess the effect of COVID-Status Certification on business insurance policies;and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the previous response provided in PQ171522.

24th Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's consultation, COVID-Status Certification Review - Call for evidence, published on 15 March 2021, how that review is planned to assess the implications of the possible introduction of COVID-Status Certification on businesses, organisations and events requiring certification for other diseases and health conditions in the future; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the hon. Member to the previous response provided in PQ171522.

22nd Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to the consultation, COVID-status Certification Review - call for evidence, published on 15 March 2021, whether that review will include legal advice on whether the use of such certification will be compatible with the Equality Act 2010; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ171522 on 23 March 2021.

22nd Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's consultation, COVID-Status Certification Review - Call for evidence, published on 15 March 2021, if he will publish a representative sample of the evidence that informs the outcome of that review.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ171522 on 23 March 2021.

22nd Mar 2021
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to his Department's consultation, COVID-Status Certification Review - Call for evidence, published on 15 March 2021, how that consultation will make an assessment of the effect of the (a) covid-19 vaccine rollout and (b) high efficacy of the covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement.

I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQ171522 on 23 March 2021.

9th Dec 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps he is taking to ensure peer review of the methods and independent verification of the results of ONS estimates of covid-19 cases.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

30th Oct 2020
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent steps he has taken to improve the quality of data on covid-19 deaths both inside and outside of hospitals with respect to identifying for whom covid-19 was (a) the cause of death, (b) a cofactor and (c) a nosocomial infection; and if he will make a statement.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority. I have therefore asked the Authority to respond.

20th May 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the preparedness of the UK border for the end of the EU Withdrawal Agreement Implementation Period on 31 December 2020; and if he will make a statement.

Cabinet Office ministers - and in particular the Minister for the Cabinet Office, me as Paymaster General, and Lord True, frequently discuss matters relating to border preparedness with Cabinet and ministerial colleagues, including at the relevant Cabinet Committees which are Exit Operations (XO) and Exit Strategy (XS). In line with the practice of successive administrations, details of internal discussions are not normally disclosed.

The Government is committed to ensuring that the UK is ready for the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020, and for seizing the opportunities of leaving the Single Market and EU Customs Union at that point. Work on border preparedness takes places across Government, including ministers and officials from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Department for International Trade, and UK Border Force.

3rd Feb 2020
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the process is for an independent Scotland to (a) secede from the UK and (b) accede to the EU; and if he will make a statement.

Scotland had an independence referendum in 2014 which was legal, fair and decisive. People in Scotland voted by a significant margin to remain part of the UK on a promise this was a “once in a generation” vote. The UK Government is committed to respecting and upholding that result.

Now that the UK Government has delivered on the democratic decision to leave the EU, this Government will ensure that 2020 is a year of growth and opportunity for Scotland and the whole of the UK.

23rd Jul 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) CBI, (b) Institute of Directors and (c) EEF on the Government's White Paper on the UK's future relationship with the EU, Cm 9593.

I have regular engagement with business and industry leaders to discuss a number of issues, including the UK's exit from the European Union.

Ministers and officials from my Department and across Government continue to engage broadly across all sectors and across the UK to hear the business’ priorities and issues relating to our exit.

Business leaders, including the CBI and Institute of Directors, met with the Secretary of State and all the ministers in DExEU to discuss the proposals made in the White Paper at Chevening House on 20 July.

23rd Jul 2018
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, how many staff of each grade work in the Cabinet Office Europe Unit.

The table below sets out the number of staff working at each grade in the Cabinet Office Europe Unit at 25th July 2018:

Grade

Headcount

Permanent Secretary

1

SCS2 (Director level)

2

SCS1 (Deputy Director level)

6

Band A (CS Grade 7)

12

Band B2 (CS Grade Higher Executive Officer/Senior Executive Officer)

5

Band B1 (CS Grade Executive Officer)

6

Total

32

As announced in the written statement 'Machinery of Government Change’ (24 July 2018), a limited number of staff will be transferring from the Department for Exiting the European Union to the Cabinet Office Europe Unit.

Oliver Dowden
Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
20th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to protect workers' rights in the retail and distribution sector in response to the Taylor Review.

We are committed to supporting all workers across the UK and have recently brought forward several reforms which will help protect workers in the retail and distribution sector.

In April 2022 we made sure 2.5 million people received a pay rise raising the National Minimum and National Living Wages. This was the largest ever cash increase to the National Living Wage and will put over £1,000 a year into a full-time workers’ pay packet, helping to ease cost of living pressures.

Additionally, on 6 July we brought forward legislation to widen the ban on exclusivity clauses, which restrict staff from working for multiple employers, to contracts where the guaranteed weekly income is equivalent to or below the Lower Earnings Limit of £123 a week.

19th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make it his policy to explore alternative methods to fracking for extracting shale gas.

The Ministerial Statement of 4 November 2019 makes clear that the pause on shale gas exploration and extraction applies specifically to operations that require Hydraulic Fracturing Consent. The definition of associated hydraulic fracturing is set out under section 4B of the Petroleum Act 1998 (inserted by Section 50 of the Infrastructure Act 2015), and involves the injection of more than 10,000 cubic metres of fluid in total, or more than 1,000 cubic metres of fluid per stage.

Activities outside of this definition are not included in the pause.

18th Jul 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to ensure that energy customers using a preferred payment method are not disadvantaged compared with customers using other payment methods.

Under the terms of the supply licence enforced by Ofgem, gas and electricity suppliers cannot charge more for one payment method compared with another, unless it costs more to provide the preferred payment method to customers.

29th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of including the Gambling Commission's decisions on control of assets, in so far as those decisions may affect national security, within the scope of the National Security and Investment Act 2021.

The National Security and Investment Act 2021 enables the Government to scrutinise and – if necessary – intervene in qualifying acquisitions which may raise national security risks. We will not hesitate to use these powers where our national security is at risk.

14th Jun 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will hold discussions with the National Audit Office about the production of a follow-up to the report on the Bounce Back Loan Scheme: an update.

The National Audit Office (NAO) is independent of Government and sets its own agenda for investigations. It should be noted the Comptroller and Auditor General of the NAO has complete discretion in determining which areas of public spending to scrutinise.

17th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what mechanism his Department used to ensure that the £200m in CFD payments made to the Low Carbon Contracts Company by renewables generators between September 2021 and February 2022 was passed through to consumers as energy bill savings.

Due to current high energy prices, the Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC) has temporarily stopped collecting the compulsory levy from suppliers which funds the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme. CfD generators have instead paid approximately £205 million back into the scheme from September 2021 to March 2022 inclusive. LCCC returned around £40 million of this to suppliers at the last quarterly reconciliation, with suppliers leaving the balance on account with LCCC to meet future liabilities towards funding the cost of the scheme. This ensures that consumers do not pay higher CfD support costs during periods of high electricity prices.

16th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent estimate he has made of the likely level of forthcoming price rises for heat network customers; and if he will make a statement.

Price increases for heat network customers vary depending on the type and owner of the network. Larger district heat networks are able to use their market size to purchase energy at scale and secure cheaper prices.

Whilst the Government does not yet have robust estimates of price increases for heat network consumers, those supplied by district heat networks are seeing price increases broadly in line with increases being seen by customers under the Retail Price Cap. The Government is seeing larger price increases for heat network customers on smaller communal networks where there are greater difficulties in purchasing at scale. These types of networks serve approximately 80,000 domestic consumers (18% of all domestic heat network consumers). The Government remains committed to legislating within this parliament to regulate the heat networks sector.

8th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many kWh of gas imported from Russia is used by the average UK household per year.

According to the latest data available, in 2020 the average household used around 12,200kWh of gas. In that year less than 3% of UK gas supplies came from Russia via LNG. Once natural gas enters the UK transmission system, it is impossible to identify the distribution of specific molecules.

8th Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the level of UK gas imports from Russia over the last five years by (a) percentage and (b) GWh.

The UK only receives direct gas in the form of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) from Russia, since there are no gas pipelines directly linking the UK with Russia. Over the last five years (2017-2021), UK gas imports from Russia accounted for, on average, 2% of the UK’s gas supply portfolio.

On average, over the last five years (2017-2021), the UK received 21506 GWh of LNG from Russia.

3rd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessments he has made of the effects of a reduced capacity factor on the levelised cost of gas-fired power stations.

Whilst unabated gas generation currently plays a key role in keeping Great Britain’s electricity system stable and secure (with around 34 GW of capacity currently installed on the system), the development of clean flexible technologies means it will be used less frequently in the future. The Government is actively developing policies to bring forward low carbon flexible technologies and to ensure that unabated gas capacity has clear decarbonisation pathways.

Achieving the UK's ambitious 2050 net zero target will require significant increases in renewable electricity generation and Great Britain’s exposure to volatile global gas prices underscores the importance of the Government’s plan to build a robust domestic renewable and resilient energy sector to further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

3rd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effects of increasing wind penetration in the electricity system on the capacity factor of gas-fired power stations.

Whilst unabated gas generation currently plays a key role in keeping Great Britain’s electricity system stable and secure (with around 34 GW of capacity currently installed on the system), the development of clean flexible technologies means it will be used less frequently in the future. The Government is actively developing policies to bring forward low carbon flexible technologies and to ensure that unabated gas capacity has clear decarbonisation pathways.

Achieving the UK's ambitious 2050 net zero target will require significant increases in renewable electricity generation and Great Britain’s exposure to volatile global gas prices underscores the importance of the Government’s plan to build a robust domestic renewable and resilient energy sector to further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

3rd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the report titled Auctions for allocation of offshore wind contracts for difference in the UK, published in February 2019, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the finding by Oxford Institute for Energy Studies that auction strike prices are unlikely to be indicative of underlying costs for renewable generators.

The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme operates as a competitive auction where the strike price successful participants receive is based on the clearing price, which is a product of bid prices. It is for developers to consider a bid price that is sustainable for their project, based on their own, forward-looking assessment of their likely project costs and revenues, and projects are only paid for the electricity they generate.

The Department publishes its own view of future electricity generation costs by technology – the latest version is from 2020, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/beis-electricity-generation-costs-2020.

3rd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment has he made of the relative seismicity of geothermal energy extraction and shale gas extraction through fracking.

A 2012 Written Ministerial Statement outlined new requirements on fracking to mitigate the risks of seismic activity – the ‘traffic light system’. This statement acknowledged that the trigger levels set in this system were cautious and exceeded the control protocols in place for other industries such as geothermal energy, construction and quarrying. However, it was made clear that the reasons for this approach were specific and appropriate to the context of the nascent shale gas sector. It noted that trigger levels could be adjusted upwards as experience of fracking operations developed.

Following a seismic event of magnitude 2.9 at Preston New Road in 2019, the Government took a presumption against issuing further hydraulic fracturing consents. Seismic events induced by fracking had proved to be unpredictable in size, timing and frequency.

It remains the Government’s policy to be guided by the evidence and to minimise disturbance to those living and working nearby, and to prevent the risk of damage.

3rd Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the effects of increasing wind penetration in the electricity system on market prices.

Achieving the UK's ambitious 2050 net zero target will require significant increases in renewable electricity generation. As more renewables, including wind, are added to the system, wholesale prices will be less affected by fluctuations in volatile global gas prices.

1st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has estimated the effect on consumer bills of the use of audited financial accounts and financial close announcements as a guide to underlying costs rather than strike prices.

The Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme operates as a competitive auction where the strike price successful participants receive is based on the clearing price, which is a product of bid prices. It is for developers to consider a bid price that is sustainable for their project, based on their own, forward-looking assessment of their likely project costs and revenues. Once projects begin generating, it is the difference between this strike price and the wholesale electricity price that drives any impact on consumer bills, and projects are only paid for the electricity they generate. This means that an assessment along the lines of what The Honourable Member for Wycombe proposes would not reflect assumptions consistent with actual costs likely to be paid by consumers.

The Department publishes its own view of future electricity generation costs by technology – the latest version is from 2020, and is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/beis-electricity-generation-costs-2020.

1st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the levelised cost of offshore wind farms commissioning in 2022.

The Department’s Electricity Generation Cost Report[1] published on gov.uk sets out levelised cost of electricity estimates for a range of technologies, including offshore wind.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/beis-electricity-generation-costs-2020

1st Mar 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish the calculations underlying his Department’s most recent estimates of levelised costs of renewable generators.

The Department’s most recent Electricity Generation Cost Report[1] published on gov.uk sets out the calculation methodology behind levelised cost estimates for renewable generators.

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/beis-electricity-generation-costs-2020

24th Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will take steps to prevent the implementation of the Oil and Gas Authority's order to concrete shale gas wells at the Preston New Road site in Lancashire.

Gas wells need to be safely decommissioned at the end of their useful life. The Oil and Gas Authority is acting within its statutory remit to require the operator of these wells to decommission them.

2nd Feb 2022
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has taken steps to review the corpus of retained EU law and other UK regulations for the purposes of (a) identifying potential negative impact on (i) trade and (ii) competition and (b) prioritising for change those for which a potential negative impact is identified; what estimate he has made of the time it will take to complete such a review; and whether he plans to bring forward legislative proposals to implement changes identified.

The Department is supporting the Government’s review into retained EU Law, which will provide an authoritative assessment of where retained EU law is concentrated on the statute book and assist the consideration of future legislative requirements. The recently published ‘Benefits of Brexit: how the UK is taking advantage of leaving the EU’ policy paper announced that the Government intends to amend, replace, or repeal all the retained EU law that is not right for the UK and prioritise areas where reform can deliver the greatest economic gain, with the Government aiming to cut £1 billion of business costs from retained EU red tape.

My Rt hon Friend the Prime Minister has also announced that the Government will bring forward a Brexit Freedoms Bill to make it easier to remove or amend retained EU law in the future.

6th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the Government's consultation on improving the energy performance of privately rented homes in England and Wales published in November 2021, what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect on the rental sector of the proposals to require landlords to increase the energy efficiency of their properties.

My department recently consulted on improving the energy performance of private rented homes in England and Wales to EPC Band C by 2028. As part of the consultation, we sought stakeholder feedback on the impact of these proposals on the housing market, including around the introduction of an affordability exemption for landlords, and I am grateful for the responses received. My Department will publish a Government Response in due course.

6th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the role of nuclear energy in hydrogen production through electrolysis of steam; and if he will make a statement.

The Government believes that net zero needs nuclear. Nuclear could have a role in ‘beyond the grid’ applications and welcomes the nuclear industry’s ambition to support low-carbon hydrogen production. As part of the Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply Competition in 2019, BEIS funded the ‘Hydrogen to Heysham’ feasibility study, which showed that current nuclear technologies are technically capable of producing low-carbon hydrogen. BEIS is funding a follow-up innovation programme, Low Carbon Hydrogen Supply 2, and winners will be announced in early 2022.

6th Dec 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish proposals on lowering the financing cost of hydrogen production.

The Government published a consultation in August 2021 on a hydrogen business model to provide revenue support to low carbon hydrogen production plants.

18th Nov 2021
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of container shipping prices on UK businesses; and if he will make a statement.

The situation faced by UK businesses and others across the globe is a result of high consumer demand, and the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19 pressures. We are aware this is a global problem, and the UK is not uniquely disadvantaged as the container supply system and freight markets across the world are being impacted.

In fact, at present the position for UK freight is more positive than other locations globally who have experienced continued severe operations difficulties.

Government continues to work with the freight sector, including ports to manage the impacts of a surge in container demand and HGV driver shortages.