Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has had recent discussions with representatives of the events industry on the potential merits of establishing a strategic approach to winning more international events.
Answered by Graham Stuart
Events showcase the UK's industrial strengths to the world while also attracting international visitors to all corners of the UK. The Government is working closely with the Department for International Trade and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to improve the UK’s already strong offer so that we can attract more high profile events and champion UK sectors on the global stage.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to help support (a) venues in the events industry and (b) small business who contribute to the events industry supply chain.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government has taken action to support UK SMEs in the events sector, including support with business rates; increasing the employment allowance; and exempting small and micro businesses from regulations where possible. The Government has also acted to reverse the National Insurance rise, which will save small businesses £4,200 on average and brought in the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which will protect small businesses from high energy bills over the winter.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of abolishing Ofgem.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The law requires Ofgem, as the expert independent regulator to enforce Supply Licence Conditions and ensure consumers are treated fairly. The Prime Minister announced a review of energy regulation on 8 September and more details will be published shortly.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will launch a public consultation on the issuing of new licenses for oil and gas in the North Sea to the north of 55.81 degrees north.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Government completed an Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment (OESEA4) of a draft plan/programme for licensing and leasing areas for future offshore energy developments including offshore oil and gas, offshore gas and carbon dioxide storage, offshore renewables, and offshore hydrogen, in relevant waters of the UK Continental Shelf.
Public consultation on the OESEA4 Environmental Report took place between 17 March and 27 May 2022. The Government response to the OESEA4 consultation was published in September 2022 and the plan/programme was adopted in September 2022.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he has had recent discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of abolishing Ofgem.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The law requires Ofgem, as the expert independent regulator to enforce Supply Licence Conditions and ensure consumers are treated fairly. My Rt. Hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a review of energy regulation on 8 September and more details will be published shortly.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will have discussions within Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of (a) establishing a separate energy market for Scotland including for stewardship and licencing of Scotland based energy resources and (b) fully devolving energy policy for Scotland to the Scottish Government.
Answered by Graham Stuart
There are no plans to hold such discussions. The UK Government continues to work closely with the Scottish Government on energy matters. This includes engagement through the Net Zero, Energy and Climate Change Intermenstrual Group which facilitates collaboration and coordination across devolved and reserved competence, ensuring we are delivering effectively for all parts of the UK.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, when he will announce further details on the financial support allocated to those living in park homes facing increasing energy bills.
Answered by Graham Stuart
I refer the Hon. Member to the answer I gave the Hon. Member for St Albans on 22nd September to Question 48498.
Asked by: Douglas Chapman (Scottish National Party - Dunfermline and West Fife)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what progress the Government has made on the introduction of a Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee Scheme that was due to be launched in spring 2022.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The Home Shipbuilding Credit Guarantee is one of my key priorities for early delivery now that the new Government is in place. I will be bringing forward our specific proposals for the scheme to my Whitehall colleagues shortly with a view to launching a scheme this calendar year.