Climate Change: Fracking

Debate between Baroness Neville-Rolfe and Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

Tuesday 6th September 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

I can certainly write to noble Lords about what advice we have received, if that would be helpful. I return to my point that we have a strong regulatory system right across the board in this area and we should look to this as an opportunity.

[Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton (Lab)]

My Lords, I declare an interest as a Lancashire resident. Would the Minister be prepared to inform the House, in writing if necessary, how many of the controls, considerations, regulations and judgments will be made by those external to the industry concerned and how many will be made by those involved in gaining profit, however low they choose to set the safety targets? My recollection is that the Government did not want all the regulation to be external, and that they wanted the industry itself to tackle this. Some of us are concerned about that.

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

I am the new Energy Minister, but I have been struck by the variety of independent outside agencies that are involved in this site-specific process. There can also be benefit to the community, both through the community benefit package, which involves an industry contribution, as the noble Baroness is suggesting, and from the shale wealth fund, on which we are consulting, which will allow some of the tax revenues to be shared with individual members of the community.

Sunday Trading

Debate between Baroness Neville-Rolfe and Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

Monday 14th December 2015 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, I take note of this point, which is now gathering support, and will report it to the usual channels.

[Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton (Lab)]

My Lords, can the Minister explain exactly how, under the Government’s consultation proposals, workers are actually protected—not just protected at law, but protected from losing their jobs if they exercise their right not to work on Sunday?

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, I am happy to take the noble Baroness through it in detail but it is unlawful to discriminate in the way that she seems to suggest might be possible. Shopworkers’ rights would be even better communicated if we were to change the law but, at the moment, people have a right—and if that right is broken, they can go to ACAS and an employment tribunal.

Tata Steel

Debate between Baroness Neville-Rolfe and Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

Thursday 16th October 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My noble friend is right to mention that background but there is some good news in this area. As I said, we are introducing a £7 billion package, part of which is already paying out compensation for additional costs in the energy-intensive industries, including steel.

I should also respond to the point that was made about cheap imports and dumping. That is something that we discuss with our EU counterparts. Obviously, it is mainly a matter for the EU but we are well aware of the importance of keeping an eye on it.

[Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton (Lab)]

My Lords, will the Minister confirm—or otherwise—that the Government recognise that working with the unions and the workforce is the way most likely to achieve a favourable result?