Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the potential for job losses as a result of the UK withdrawing from the Galileo satellite navigation system.
Answered by Sam Gyimah
Government has been in close contact with UK industry throughout the negotiations on Galileo and will continue to work with them.
Whilst these discussions continue, we are also taking action to ensure our vibrant space sector continues to succeed. The UK’s Space Sector has recently published Prosperity from Space, their blueprint for creating an extra 30,000 high skill jobs in the sector by 2030 by working in partnership with Government.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment his Department has made of the UK’s ability to launch a network of satellites equivalent to the EU’s Galileo satellite navigation system; what estimate his Department has made of the annual running costs of such a network; in which territories the UK would place the required ground stations; and in which area of the country launches of satellites would take place.
Answered by Sam Gyimah
My rt. hon. Friend the Prime Minister confirmed on 2 May that the Government is developing options for a British Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that will provide civilian and encrypted signals, and be compatible with the US GPS system. The Government has been clear there is a mutual benefit to the UK remaining involved in the EU Galileo programme and we are working hard to deliver this. However, without the assurance that UK industry can collaborate on an equal basis and without continued access to the necessary security-related information, the UK could be obliged to end its participation in the project.
Initial assessments confirm that the UK space sector has the technical capability to design, build and deliver a domestic satellite navigation system as a result of its extensive experience in delivering the Galileo programme. The options for such a system, including its objectives in terms of services and capabilities and associated costs, are now being studied further in the work led by the UK Space Agency. The options for the location of the necessary ground infrastructure, including the suitability of the UK’s Overseas Territories, and the options for the launch of the satellites are also being considered as part of the work that is now under way.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to ask the Secretary of State what steps he is taking to improve productivity as part of the Industrial Strategy
Answered by Greg Clark
Our Industrial Strategy’s aim is to boost earning power and productivity across the country. We will build on the UK’s world class expertise in industries such as the automotive sector in the North East, underpinned by Nissan in Sunderland, one of Europe’s most productive plants.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what response the Government plans to make to the request by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders of 20 June 2017 for an interim agreement for the UK to remain in the customs union as long as necessary to agree a comprehensive trade deal with the EU; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department works closely with the UK automotive industry including through the Automotive Council which is attended by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. We have frequent conversations about the challenges that leaving the EU poses and the opportunities available to different sectors as well as the government’s position as set out in the EU Exit White Paper. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has said we will continue to work closely with business to ensure we reflect the key concerns and deliver the best deal for Britain.
Asked by: Bridget Phillipson (Labour - Houghton and Sunderland South)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what the implications are for his Department's policies of data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders on 20 June 2017 on investment in the automotive sector during the first half of 2017.
Answered by Claire Perry
The Department works closely with the UK automotive industry, including through the Automotive Council, to understand the issues and opportunities the sector faces. The Government will continue its longstanding programme of support for the sector’s competitiveness. The UK has been very successful in attracting inward investment from automotive companies. Companies such as Nissan and Toyota have continued to re-invest, thanks to our highly-skilled workforce, strong partnership between government and industry, and long-term investment in new technology and innovation.