Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, with reference to the report by Jean-Christophe Rufin entitled Report on the socioeconomic, humanitarian and human rights situation in the PalmaAfungi-Mocímboa area, published by Total Energy in May 2023, whether she has made an assessment of the extent to which the recommendations from that report (a) have been implemented and (b) will be implemented before any work resumes on the Mozambique LNG project.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Mozambique LNG Project sponsors have developed, and are currently implementing, an Action Plan to address the recommendations set out in the report by independent expert, Jean-Christophe Rufin. M. Rufin has been commissioned monitor the implementation of the Action Plan.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what progress UKEF has made on (a) determining scope one and two and (b) estimating scope three emissions in its portfolio until 2050.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
UK Export Finance (UKEF) publishes a partial scope one and two emissions inventory in its Annual Report and Accounts (ARA), consistent with the Greening Government Commitments.
The ARA also includes a partial scope 3 emissions inventory, including emissions associated with business travel, and (since financial year 2020/2021) estimates of its financed emissions. UKEF’s ARAs are laid in Parliament annually and are available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-export-finance-annual-reports-and-accounts.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions (a) her Department and (b) UKEF have had with Total Energies on (i) lifting the force majeure and (ii) restarting work on the Mozambique LNG project.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is currently in talks with project sponsors and other lenders, including export credit agencies, and other stakeholders, regarding the latest status of the Mozambique LNG project.
Given these discussions, I am unable to comment further for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make it her policy to undertake a (a) reassessment of and (b) civil society consultation on UKEF's support for Mozambique LNG before any work on the project restarts.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
UK Export Finance (UKEF) is currently in talks with project sponsors and other lenders, including export credit agencies, and other stakeholders, regarding the latest status of the Mozambique LNG project.
Given these discussions, I am unable to comment further for reasons of commercial sensitivity.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she is taking steps to encourage UK-listed companies to pay the real living wage set by the Living Wage Foundation.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Government is responsible for setting the statutory minimum wage rates. The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has gained international respect for their high-quality work. Therefore, it is right that we continue to take the expert and independent advice of the LPC when setting the minimum wage rates. The key distinction between the LPC rates and the Living Wage Foundation’s Voluntary Living Wage, is that LPC calculations consider the impact on businesses and the economy.
We commend employers who pay above the National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage when they can afford to do so. The Living Wage Foundation are clear their measure is voluntary.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the impact of Amazon UK’s Delivery Date Based Reserve policy change in August 2023 on small businesses.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I recently wrote to Amazon’s UK Country Manager, John Boumphrey, asking how Amazon intends to help mitigate the impact on its sellers, recognising that this is a challenging time for many small businesses already struggling with cashflow issues.
We are determined to see late payments reduce to ensure that small and medium sized enterprises are given the best chance of succeeding and growing. One of our levers to tackle late payment is the Small Business Commissioner, who provides general advice and information to small businesses in connection with their supply relationships with larger businesses. Small businesses affected by late or unfair payment practices can use their complaint investigation service.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing neonatal care leave and pay before April 2025.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
We are committed to introducing Neonatal Care Leave and Pay as quickly as possible. Work is ongoing across Government to deliver these new entitlements.
Delivery requires updates to HM Revenue and Customs IT systems, support for employers and payroll providers to implement changes, guidance for employers and individuals, and for Parliamentary consideration of a significant amount of secondary legislation. These actions will take approximately 18 months.
It is also necessary to align the ‘go live’ date with the start of a tax year. This means April 2025 is the earliest date for the introduction of Neonatal Care Leave and Pay.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, when she plans to commence the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023.
Answered by Kevin Hollinrake - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Provisions in the Neonatal Care (Leave and Pay) Act 2023 will commence ahead of the planned implementation date for the new entitlements, in April 2025. Work is ongoing across Government to deliver these new entitlements.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on making an assessment of the human rights situation in Cabo Delgado and UK Export Finance's potential future support for Mozambique LNG.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
UK Export Finance (UKEF) strictly follows internationally recognised frameworks for managing environmental, social & human rights (ESHR) risks and impacts of relevant projects. Where UKEF provides support to such projects it undertakes on-going ESHR monitoring over the period of that support.
Asked by: Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour - Streatham)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on measures the Government is taking to improve the quality of human rights assessments used to inform UK Export Finance's decisions.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
UK Export Finance (UKEF) strictly follows internationally recognised frameworks for managing environmental, social & human rights (ESHR) risks and impacts of relevant projects. Where UKEF provides support to such projects it undertakes on-going ESHR monitoring over the period of that support.