Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether receipt of (i) support and (ii) priority access to an electricity-grid connection by a data-centre development will be conditional on compliance with minimum standards for (a) energy efficiency, (b) water efficiency, (c) the use of low-carbon electricity, (d) demand flexibility and (e) the recovery and reuse of waste heat.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
The Government is committed to supporting the sustainable growth of the UK's data centre sector reflecting their critical importance to the economy, public services and national security. A limited number of strategically important data centres may be supported through the Connections Accelerator Service (CAS) subject to the CAS Project Selection Process. The selection process includes due diligence from DBIST and an evaluation of the project alignment to government priorities including economic growth, jobs and net zero objectives. CAS provides enhanced engagement with network companies to identify opportunities to accelerate connections where possible, but it does not guarantee an earlier connection date.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the cumulative effect on UK downstream manufacturers of (a) the 50 per cent out-of-quota tariff applying under the steel trade measure introduced on 1 July 2026 and (b) existing anti-dumping duties on imports of corrosion-resistant steel and welded steel tubes originating in China; and whether he will publish that assessment.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The steel trade measure strikes a balance between securing the future of UK steel production and the impact on steel-using industries. The Government took, trade flows and existing trade remedies on relevant steel products into account when designing the measure. Explanatory Memoranda published alongside the legislation implementing the measure set out the expected impacts across the supply chain.
The TRA concluded both reviews referred to in March 2025 and August 2026 respectively, publishing their findings online. Neither included an assessment of the steel trade measure as there was either no data or insufficient data available. Existing trade remedy measures can also be reviewed if industry or the TRA believe there is sufficient evidence to warrant doing so.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the availability from UK producers of the grades and specifications of aluminised steel coil and tube used by downstream manufacturers; and if he will establish a process through which businesses can seek an exclusion, product-specific quota or other relief where an equivalent product is not manufactured in the UK in sufficient quantities.
Answered by Blair McDougall - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade) (Jointly with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The measure will apply only to product categories that can be made in the UK. In some instances, product codes contain both steel products that can and cannot be made domestically for technical reasons. Where this is the case, quotas have been designed to allow availability of these goods without unnecessary additional costs. Explanatory Memoranda published alongside the implementing legislation set out the expected impacts across the supply chain. We are closely monitoring the impacts, will continue to engage with businesses, and will review the full measure after 12 months.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what financial and advisory support is available to established manufacturers seeking to relocate manufacturing operations and associated jobs from Northern Ireland to the West Midlands; whether such businesses may be eligible for support through the West Midlands Investment Zone; and what displacement, additionality and subsidy-control requirements apply to applications for that support.
Answered by Chris McDonald - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
The Government provides financial and advisory support to manufacturers operating in or relocating to the West Midlands through central government programmes and regional bodies. The West Midlands Investment Zone primarily offers tax incentives to businesses locating within designated sites, rather than direct relocation funding.
The West Midlands Growth Company (WMGC) can assist businesses in identifying appropriate land and premises, including Investment Zone sites where relevant. Businesses are encouraged to contact WMGC as a first point of contact for tailored inward investment support.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the proposed right to guaranteed hours on the number of employment opportunities available to people aged 16 to 24.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The government has published a comprehensive assessment of the potential impacts of the right to guaranteed hours, which includes consideration of the potential impacts on employment.
Our analysis identifies young workers as a group more likely to benefit from the right to guaranteed hours. There is evidence that greater certainty over hours and income could make it easier for young people to return to the labour market. The reforms do not ban zero hours and similar contracts, and workers who value this flexibility will be able to remain on their existing arrangements by declining a guaranteed hours offer if they do not want one.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, if the Department will establish a publicly accessible national register of proposed and operational data centres, including for each facility its (a) location, (b) planning status, (c) floorspace, (d) electricity requirement, (e) water requirement, (f) cooling technology and (g) number of permanent jobs.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Minister of State (Cabinet Office) (Jointly with the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Technology)
Data centres are critical national infrastructure, providing the computing power Britain needs for economic growth, public services and national security. The Government’s priority is to ensure the UK builds the capacity it needs, while communities hosting new infrastructure see clear benefits and local resources are protected.
Information on proposed and operational data centres is already held through planning authorities, network operators and other relevant bodies. There is currently no single national public register. We are working with industry, regulators and local authorities to strengthen the national evidence base and support better infrastructure and investment decisions.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what consultation was undertaken with downstream steel-using industries before the decision to reduce tariff-free steel import quotas and increase safeguard tariffs from 1 July 2026; whether a full economic impact assessment was produced; and if he will publish any analysis of the expected effects on manufacturing output, business investment and employment.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The Government held extensive consultations with both primary steel producers and downstream users to inform development of the trade measure, including a Call for Evidence in July 2025. We will continue engaging regularly with companies across the supply chain, through Ministerial and official level engagement, and will monitor implementation of the measure. This includes conducting a review after 12 months to ensure it remains effective and that the balance is right for both producers and downstream users.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the recent announcement of changes to steel safeguard measures due to take effect on 1 July 2026, what assessment he has made of the availability of specialist steel grades and alloys that are not currently produced in the UK; what categories of steel products will remain exempt from the revised quotas and tariffs; and whether he plans to introduce further exemptions where no domestic alternative exists.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The new steel trade measure has been designed to strike a careful balance between supporting domestic steelmaking and maintaining secure, reliable supply for downstream users, including the makeup and length of the transitional arrangement to ease short term impacts. It is not possible to give an estimate of the volume and value of steel subject to contractual commitments before 14 March 2026 given that information is held by individual businesses. However, our measure design has been informed by last year’s Call for Evidence which attracted 100 responses from industry.
The measure has also been designed to only cover steel requirements that can be met in the UK. Where this is not feasible for technical reasons, for example where product codes contain both steel products that can be made in the UK and products that cannot be made, quotas sizes are being set with the aim of allowing continued availability of goods to UK downstream users without unnecessary additional costs. We will continue to monitor the impact of the measure and review it after 12 months to ensure the balance is right between producers and downstream users.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what estimate he has made of the volume and value of steel imports that were subject to contractual commitments before the announcement of revised safeguard measures on 14 March 2026; what transitional arrangements will apply to such contracts after 1 July 2026; and whether he will consider extending the implementation period to avoid financial penalties for businesses that entered into agreements before the policy was announced.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The new steel trade measure has been designed to strike a careful balance between supporting domestic steelmaking and maintaining secure, reliable supply for downstream users, including the makeup and length of the transitional arrangement to ease short term impacts. It is not possible to give an estimate of the volume and value of steel subject to contractual commitments before 14 March 2026 given that information is held by individual businesses. However, our measure design has been informed by last year’s Call for Evidence which attracted 100 responses from industry.
The measure has also been designed to only cover steel requirements that can be met in the UK. Where this is not feasible for technical reasons, for example where product codes contain both steel products that can be made in the UK and products that cannot be made, quotas sizes are being set with the aim of allowing continued availability of goods to UK downstream users without unnecessary additional costs. We will continue to monitor the impact of the measure and review it after 12 months to ensure the balance is right between producers and downstream users.
Asked by: Wendy Morton (Conservative - Aldridge-Brownhills)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of revised steel safeguard measures due to take effect on 1 July 2026 on defence procurement programmes, including the AUKUS submarine programme; and whether he has raised concerns with the Secretary of State for Defence regarding the availability and cost of specialist steel products required for defence manufacturing.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
The new steel trade measure has been designed to strike a careful balance between supporting domestic steelmaking and maintaining secure, reliable supply so the UK can meet its defence and critical national infrastructure needs. I have engaged closely with my counterparts in other departments, including in the Ministry of Defence, in designing the measure.