Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the possible involvement of EVE Energy in the West Midlands Gigafactory and of the criteria that were used in the selection process.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Lainston - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We are determined to ensure the UK remains one of the best locations in the world for automotive manufacturing as we transition to electric vehicles, while ensuring taxpayer money is used responsibly and provides best-value. It would not be appropriate to comment on speculation or the commercial affairs of private companies.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether their approach regarding environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria differs from that of the European Union and, if so, in which areas.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government’s plans regarding company reporting on environmental, social and governance matters are set out in Mobilising Green Investment – 2023 Green Finance Strategy (March 2023). These plans differ from the European Union’s (EU) plans in several areas. Specifically, the UK will not adopt the European Sustainability Reporting Standards. Instead, the UK Government has stated its support for the International Sustainability Disclosure Standards and we are currently assessing the suitability for UK companies of the first two standards that have been issued by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB).
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what their policy is towards promoting environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles among UK companies.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Companies Act 2006 requires directors to have regard to impact of a company’s operations on the community and environment when exercising their duties. It also requires certain companies to provide information regarding environmental matters and social, community and human rights issues within their annual reports.
The Government’s future plans to encourage companies to consider the impact of environmental, social and governance issues are set out in Mobilising Green Investment - 2023 Green Finance Strategy. This includes the Government’s plans to assess the suitability of the standards that were recently published by the International Sustainability Standards Board for use in the UK.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to make environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting mandatory by UK companies.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Reporting on ESG matters provides transparency to investors and other stakeholders, improving investment decisions. In particular, the Government supports the work of the International Sustainability Standards Board, which aims to align sustainability reporting globally, enabling investors compare investment decisions across markets.
The Government believes that a mix of voluntary and mandatory reporting provides the right balance between transparency and reducing burdens on companies. Further detail on the Government’s future plans is provided by Mobilising Green Investment - 2023 Green Finance Strategy.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have plans to regulate professional awards programmes.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade has no plans to regulate professional awards programmes within the legislative framework for regulated professions.
The Professional Qualifications Act (2022) is part of the legislative framework for regulated professions. It covers those professions where there is a legal requirement for an individual to have qualifications or experience in order to practise. Typically, regulators are responsible for determining entry requirements for a profession and assessing whether individuals are fit to practise.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they keep a list of exporters for the purposes of determining who to invite to government sponsored trade conferences held in the UK; and what are the criteria for selection for invitees to such conferences.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) does not maintain an official list of exporters for this particular purpose. The criteria for selecting businesses invited by the Department to specific events vary depending on several factors. These factors differ based on the type of events, whether organised by DBT or third parties. Invitations to events are extended to businesses based on the Department's contacts with them, collaboration with stakeholders, or broader promotional efforts.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government which directorate produces the list of invitees for the Uzbek–British Trade and Industry Council; and what are the criteria for selection for the invitees.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The British Embassy have set up a registration site that is open to all interested parties. The event is published publicly on the GREAT website, and the Department for Business and Trade and Uzbekistan's Ministry of Investment work together to amplify and raise awareness of the event among businesses. No criteria is applied to those that wish to register and attend.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government which directorate produces the list of invitees for the Kazakh–British Trade and Industry Council; and what are the criteria for selection for the invitees.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Kazakh-British Trade and Industry Council no longer exists.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government which directorate produces the list of invitees for the Turkmenistan United Kingdom Trade and Industry Council; and what are the criteria for selection for the invitees.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Turkmen Government choose participants on their side, made up mainly of government ministries, but of late, with business representatives. On the UK side, the British Embassy in Ashgabat suggests companies that might be interested in joining, in consultation with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and the Department for Business and Trade. Our criteria is to identify companies with an interest in exporting to the market.
Asked by: Viscount Waverley (Crossbench - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the rules produced by the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments apply to the Prime Minister's trade envoys.
Answered by Lord Offord of Garvel - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Business Appointment Rules do not apply to the Prime Minister's Trade Envoys.