Asked by: Baroness Redfern (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the total value of shortfalls claimed back by the Post Office from staff affected by issues with the Horizon software system.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We do not have an estimate. Postmasters who paid shortfalls which were recorded in Horizon to the Post Office are paid those amounts back in their compensation claims, as well as any other financial and personal damage which they have suffered as a consequence of the IT system. We have already made payments totalling £160m across all three compensation schemes.
Asked by: Baroness Redfern (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to improve the quality and consistency of short scrap metal to meet increased demand for future electric arc furnace steelmaking.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is aware the sector's transition to electric arc furnaces will mean scrap steel becomes an increasingly vital material source for UK steelmaking. The UK has an abundance of ferrous scrap and a strong scrap sector - there were c.11 million tonnes of scrap arising in 2021, with 2.6 million tonnes (25%) consumed domestically (International Steel Statistics Bureau via UK Steel) and 8.6 million tonnes (75%) exported (HMRC Overseas Trade Data).Steel producers are increasing their engagement with scrap metal dealers to secure future supply. Government officials continue to closely monitor the development of the scrap market and the Government will consider its options if evidence emerges that the market is failing to respond effectively.
Asked by: Baroness Redfern (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the UK is not left behind following a potential agreement between the US and EU on Global Sustainable Steel and Aluminium.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The UK is monitoring developments of the US-EU negotiations on the Global Arrangement for Sustainable Steel and Aluminium and we await the outcome on what may be agreed between the two parties.
In the meantime, we engage regularly with the steel and aluminium sectors to make sure there is a clear voice for industry and we are ready to act in the best interests of the UK.
Asked by: Baroness Redfern (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to increase the number of organisations and projects across government that will provide data for the 2024 steel procurement pipeline.
Answered by Earl of Minto - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 04/23 clearly identifies procurements for which Central Government Departments, Executive Agencies and Non-Departmental Public Bodies are expected to provide steel procurement pipelines to the Department of Business and Trade, for publication on GOV.UK. The next publication will include steel procurement pipelines data from these organisations in line with PPN 04/23.
Asked by: Baroness Redfern (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to establish a framework for smaller employers to incorporate new support, training and employability initiatives.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are the backbone of our economy and have a key role to play in driving economic growth.
The Department for Education set a strategy for skills reform in England in the Skills for Jobs white paper, putting employers at the heart of the skills system and the Government is investing an additional £3.8 billion over this Parliament to ensure workers can develop the skills businesses need.
By the end of FY 2022/23 Government will also have invested over £118m for the 38 English Growth Hubs to provide SMEs with free advice, alongside our Business Support Helpline.