Nov. 15 2023
Source Page: Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy trip to Iceland: FOI releaseFound: Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy trip to Iceland: FOI release
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had discussions with her counterparts in the Republic of Iceland on the trade of Icelandic geothermal energy.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The United Kingdom is committed to building on our strong green trade partnership with Iceland. Our UK-EEA/EFTA free trade agreement is one of our greenest trade deals and provides the framework for continued dialogues with Iceland on the development and utilisation of climate friendly energy.
Officials discussed efforts to transition to Net Zero, including Iceland’s transition to carbon neutrality through geothermal energy, at the UK-EEA/EFTA Trade and Sustainable Development Subcommittee held in November last year.
Jul. 24 2023
Source Page: Iceland: legal and prison systemsFound: Iceland: legal and prison systems
Mentions:
1: Kevin Hollinrake (Con - Thirsk and Malton) place a duty on UK regulators to recognise comparable professional qualifications obtained in Norway, Iceland - Speech Link
Jun. 18 2024
Source Page: World Trade Organization: Iceland’s Trade Policy Review, June 2024: UK StatementFound: And let me also express our thanks to the WTO Secretariat for their report, to Iceland for its report
Mentions:
1: Lord Offord of Garvel (Con - Life peer) recognition of professional qualifications provisions within the UK’s free trade agreement with Norway, Iceland - Speech Link
2: None This approach means that the experience of professionals with qualifications from Norway, Iceland and - Speech Link
Report Sep. 13 2023
Committee: European Affairs CommitteeFound: 8th Report - Scrutiny of International Agreements: Convention on Social Security Coordination between Iceland
Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will consider the potential merits of the Government issuing an apology to the Icelandic people for using section 4 of the Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 to seize Icelandic bank assets between 2008 and 2011.
Answered by Andrew Griffith - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Anti-terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 contains a broad range of provisions, and the Government has been clear that the Landsbanki Freezing Order 2008 was not made on the basis of the anti-terrorism provisions within the Act.
The decision to protect UK depositors in Icelandic banks was made after extensive conversations with the Icelandic Government who, at the time, were unable to provide assurances regarding the position of UK creditors following Landsbanki being placed into receivership in October 2008. This presented a serious risk that the rights of UK creditors would be prejudiced compared with those of others, which would have had an extremely detrimental impact on the UK economy at a time of unprecedent disturbances in the financial sector.
The Government believes that it was right to take urgent action to protect financial stability within the United Kingdom.
HM Treasury subsequently revoked the freezing orders on Landsbanki on 15 June 2009, without the normal notification period, as commitments made by the Icelandic Government in respect of depositors removed the threats to UK economic interests that had caused HMT to make the original Orders.
The UK greatly values its historic relationship with Iceland, with diplomatic relations stretching back over 80 years, and the Government will continue to ensure our bilateral and regional cooperation remains strong.
Apr. 11 2024
Source Page: UK and others call for immediate humanitarian release of Vladimir Kara-Murza: Joint Statement to the OSCEFound: I am delivering this statement on behalf of Canada, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, the
Jul. 05 2023
Source Page: Company Names Tribunal decision: Iceland Groceries LimitedFound: Company Names Tribunal decision: Iceland Groceries Limited