Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for her policies of the China Strategic Risks Institute's report on Building a Green, Fair and Resilient Solar Supply Chain, published on 24 November 2023.
Answered by Andrew Bowie - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Solar Taskforce is considering wide-ranging actions needed to develop resilient, sustainable and innovative supply chains. This work will inform the Government’s Solar Roadmap setting out the trajectory and actions needed to deploy up to 70GW by 2035.
The Government already encourages developers to grow sustainable supply chains through the Supply Chain Plan process included in the Contracts for Difference scheme. The Government also supports innovation in supply chains through the Energy Entrepreneurs Fund and initiatives funded by UK Research and Innovation.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of ringfencing the funds raised through a statutory gambling levy for the (a) research, (b) prevention and (c) treatment of gambling-related harms.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We launched a consultation on the structure, distribution and governance of the levy in October to ensure the government has the best available evidence to make implementation of the levy effective, transparent and proportionate. The consultation closes on 14 December. Legislation requires the levy to be paid by all Gambling Commission licensees, including on forms of gambling licensed in the future, to provide sustainable, ring-fenced funding for research, prevention and treatment (RPT) of gambling-related harms.
It is important that the new levy system provides sufficient long-term stability as the new arrangements come into force, while providing scope for the government to intervene should issues arise. We think a five year review period strikes an appropriate balance. However, we are keen to receive the best available evidence on this point through the consultation.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department plans to develop a mechanism for the statutory gambling levy to enable new forms of gambling to be (a) assessed and (b) levied at an appropriate level.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We launched a consultation on the structure, distribution and governance of the levy in October to ensure the government has the best available evidence to make implementation of the levy effective, transparent and proportionate. The consultation closes on 14 December. Legislation requires the levy to be paid by all Gambling Commission licensees, including on forms of gambling licensed in the future, to provide sustainable, ring-fenced funding for research, prevention and treatment (RPT) of gambling-related harms.
It is important that the new levy system provides sufficient long-term stability as the new arrangements come into force, while providing scope for the government to intervene should issues arise. We think a five year review period strikes an appropriate balance. However, we are keen to receive the best available evidence on this point through the consultation.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department has assessed the potential merits of reducing the review period for statutory levy rates on gambling operators and the distribution of funds to every three years, to allow for changes in the gambling landscape to be appropriately accounted for.
Answered by Stuart Andrew - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
We launched a consultation on the structure, distribution and governance of the levy in October to ensure the government has the best available evidence to make implementation of the levy effective, transparent and proportionate. The consultation closes on 14 December. Legislation requires the levy to be paid by all Gambling Commission licensees, including on forms of gambling licensed in the future, to provide sustainable, ring-fenced funding for research, prevention and treatment (RPT) of gambling-related harms.
It is important that the new levy system provides sufficient long-term stability as the new arrangements come into force, while providing scope for the government to intervene should issues arise. We think a five year review period strikes an appropriate balance. However, we are keen to receive the best available evidence on this point through the consultation.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his Department's policies of the reported forced repatriation of people from China back to North Korea; whether he has made an assessment of the potential risks to these people; whether he has made representations to his counterpart in China on this topic; and whether his Department has made an assessment of the compatibility of these reported forced repatriations with international law.
Answered by Anne-Marie Trevelyan - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are aware of reports that China is forcibly repatriating refugees to North Korea. The UK actively promotes the implementation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. We emphasise directly to the Chinese authorities that they should not be detaining and forcefully repatriating North Korean refugees. At the 17 August UN Security Council meeting on the human rights situation in the DPRK, the UK called on all states to abide by the principle of non-refoulement.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2023 to Questions 200185, 200186 and 200187 on UK Export Finance: China, what her policy is on public funds being directed to Chinese companies involved in the Belt and Road Initiative through (a) UK Export Finance and (b) other public bodies.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
As advised in the response to the previous questions (200185, 200186 and 200187), UK Export Finance (UKEF) follows the UK government’s policy towards engagement with China set out in the Integrated Review and elsewhere.
UKEF is committed to high standards of environmental, social and human rights (ESHR) risk management. Its specialist ESHR team reviews projects for ESHR risks and impacts before any decision on support is made. If a decision is taken to provide support, UKEF undertakes ESHR monitoring of the project for the duration of that support.
UKEF’s due diligence also includes appropriate assessment of attendant risks. UKEF charges a risk-based premium to companies for its support, and has a robust recovery process in place to protect the taxpayer and offset potential losses.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, pursuant to the Answer of 17 October 2023 to Questions 200185, 200186 and 200187 on UK Export Finance: China, what (a) labour standards and (b) other human rights due diligence procedures are applied to prospective UK Export Finance partner companies.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
As advised in the response to the previous questions (200185, 200186 and 200187), UK Export Finance (UKEF) follows the UK government’s policy towards engagement with China set out in the Integrated Review and elsewhere.
UKEF is committed to high standards of environmental, social and human rights (ESHR) risk management. Its specialist ESHR team reviews projects for ESHR risks and impacts before any decision on support is made. If a decision is taken to provide support, UKEF undertakes ESHR monitoring of the project for the duration of that support.
UKEF’s due diligence also includes appropriate assessment of attendant risks. UKEF charges a risk-based premium to companies for its support, and has a robust recovery process in place to protect the taxpayer and offset potential losses.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what her Department's policy is on UK Export Finance's provision of funding to projects delivered by Chinese companies operating in Africa; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
UK Export Finance (UKEF) helps UK exporters access finance and insurance on commercial terms to support them to win business overseas, fulfil orders and get paid. UKEF follows the UK government’s policy towards China set out in the Integrated Review Refresh 2023 and elsewhere.
UKEF's deals in all countries go through an extensive due diligence process to take account of relevant UK Government policies, applicable sanctions and other relevant bars as well as meeting high international environmental, social and human rights standards.
UKEF is unable to comment on pending applications for the department’s support for reasons of commercial sensitivity. Details of business supported by UKEF can be found in its Annual Report and Accounts for the relevant year which are available online here.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what the value of funding was provided by UK Export Finance to Chinese companies operating in Africa in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) 2022.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
UK Export Finance (UKEF) helps UK exporters access finance and insurance on commercial terms to support them to win business overseas, fulfil orders and get paid. UKEF follows the UK government’s policy towards China set out in the Integrated Review Refresh 2023 and elsewhere.
UKEF's deals in all countries go through an extensive due diligence process to take account of relevant UK Government policies, applicable sanctions and other relevant bars as well as meeting high international environmental, social and human rights standards.
UKEF is unable to comment on pending applications for the department’s support for reasons of commercial sensitivity. Details of business supported by UKEF can be found in its Annual Report and Accounts for the relevant year which are available online here.
Asked by: Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative - Chingford and Woodford Green)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether UK Export Finance is considering applications for trade (a) finance and (b) insurance for projects delivered by Chinese companies operating in Africa.
Answered by Nigel Huddleston - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
UK Export Finance (UKEF) helps UK exporters access finance and insurance on commercial terms to support them to win business overseas, fulfil orders and get paid. UKEF follows the UK government’s policy towards China set out in the Integrated Review Refresh 2023 and elsewhere.
UKEF's deals in all countries go through an extensive due diligence process to take account of relevant UK Government policies, applicable sanctions and other relevant bars as well as meeting high international environmental, social and human rights standards.
UKEF is unable to comment on pending applications for the department’s support for reasons of commercial sensitivity. Details of business supported by UKEF can be found in its Annual Report and Accounts for the relevant year which are available online here.