Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will publish all ministerial directions issued in relation to British Steel Ltd under the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025, including any directions concerning access to premises, accounting records, bank accounts, management information, insolvency proceedings, funding, trading decisions or relations with Jingye Group.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State has issued any direction under section 2(5)(d) of the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Act 2025 requiring British Steel Ltd, its directors, officers, creditors or any other person to refrain from taking proceedings under the Insolvency Act 1986 or otherwise in relation to the company or its steel undertaking.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of whether British Steel Ltd is balance-sheet solvent and cash-flow solvent, both including and excluding Government funding provided since 12 April 2025; and whether they will publish any such assessment.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the CS01 confirmation statement filed by British Steel Ltd on 14 April 2026, stating that the company’s intended future activities were lawful, was filed with the prior knowledge, consent or direction of the Secretary of State; and whether the accuracy of that statement depended on any Government assurance, funding, direction or undertaking.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
It has not proved possible to respond to this question in the time available before Prorogation. Ministers will correspond directly with the Member.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of private capital's willingness to invest in British Steel under the present ownership and control structure.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and it would be inappropriate for HM Government to formally approach potential third-party investors in such circumstances. We are in discussions with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of the site and our long-term aspiration for the steel sector will require co-investment with the private sector.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many potential third-party investors have been formally approached regarding investment in British Steel since April 2025.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
British Steel remains owned by Jingye and it would be inappropriate for HM Government to formally approach potential third-party investors in such circumstances. We are in discussions with Jingye to find a pragmatic, realistic solution for the future of the site and our long-term aspiration for the steel sector will require co-investment with the private sector.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what date they plan to publish the revised implementation timetable for the Employment Rights Act 2025.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
As set out in the Implementation Roadmap, the Employment Rights Act 2025 will be delivered in phases to give employees and employers time to prepare.
Following Royal Assent on 18 December 2025, the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 was repealed. In February further trade union measures will commence, including repealing the majority of the Trade Union Act 2016.
Further measures will take effect in April 2026, including day one rights to statutory sick pay and paternity leave, and launch of the Fair Work Agency.
The Government remains committed to the Implementation Roadmap timelines and will provide further updates and support for employers and workers in early 2026.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government on what date they will publish the Steel Strategy.
Answered by Baroness Lloyd of Effra - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is developing a Steel Strategy to be published in 2025 that will set out a long-term vision for a bright and sustainable steel sector in the UK and the actions needed to get there.
The strategy will articulate what is needed to create a competitive business environment in the UK with the aim of attracting new private investment to secure and expand UK steelmaking capability and capacity which is aligned with our Net Zero goals.