Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Lord Bowness, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
Lord Bowness has not introduced any legislation before Parliament
Lord Bowness has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
The Senior Deputy Speaker has asked me, as Chair of the Services Committee, to respond on his behalf. The Palace of Westminster and outbuildings will continue to be cleaned throughout the recess period, following the Public Health England guidelines for non-healthcare premises. In anticipation of the return of the House following the recess, before the House sits, the Chamber will be given a full clean to include all surfaces used by members and staff. Surfaces and areas around the Chamber will also be cleaned with sanitiser including; Royal Gallery, Prince’s Chamber and Peers’ Lobby. Heritage items in these areas will continue to be treated in line with the appropriate guidance.
As is currently in place; an enhanced cleaning regime will continue when the House returns, with hourly cleaning of contact points around the Chamber and the Principal Floor. Elsewhere in the Palace, more frequent cleaning of the toilets, tea points, kitchens and contact points will continue to take place. Hand sanitiser will continue to be supplied at all entrances and access points across the Estate.
The National Space Council is a Cabinet Committee that exists to "consider issues concerning prosperity, diplomacy and national security in, through and from Space, as part of coordinating overall Government policy.”
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whose department sponsors the UK Space Agency as an executive agency, is a standing member of the National Space Council. Membership and Terms of Reference can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-cabinet-committees-system-and-list-of-cabinet-committees.
It is a long-established precedent that information about the discussions that have taken place in Cabinet and its Committees, and how often they have met, is not normally shared publicly.
Constructive bilateral discussions with all 27 Member States are currently underway at official level. Announcements will be made in the usual way.
Bilateral discussions with all 27 Member States are currently underway at official level and have been constructive. Further details will be published in due course.
The recognition of both driving licenses and blue badges is a member state competence and the Government is seeking to secure both with EU members via bilateral agreements. Discussions are ongoing in both of these areas. UK motorists will still be able to drive in the EU with their UK Driving Licence but some EU countries may require an International Driving Permit, which is available now from the Post Office. The UK Government is currently negotiating with the EU on future reciprocal healthcare arrangements as part of the negotiating group on ‘mobility and social security coordination’.
The recognition of both driving licenses and blue badges is a member state competence and the Government is seeking to secure both with EU members via bilateral agreement. Discussions are ongoing in both of these policy areas. Recognition of disabled blue badges currently operates on a policy of goodwill among EU member states. The Government has asked UK local authorities to continue to recognise disabled blue badges and hopes that EU member states will reciprocate.
As set out on 28 February in Annex A of the Terms of Reference on the UK–EU future relationship negotiation, 11 negotiating groups have been established.
The arrangements relating to future healthcare cooperation will be discussed in the group entitled ‘Mobility and Social Security Coordination’ including those that provide temporary healthcare cover for tourists, short-term business visitors and service providers.
The transport arrangements set out in the UK’s Approach to Negotiations will be covered in the ‘Transport’ group. Driving licences are a member state competence and we intend to conclude bilateral agreements to secure recognition of UK licences for visiting drivers (commercial and private) as well as exchange for UK licence holders who relocate to the EU.
Reciprocal recognition of blue badges operates across the EU on the basis of goodwill between member states. We’ve asked UK local authorities to continue to recognise EU blue badges and we hope that member states will do the same.
The Government considers these topics under “Other Areas of Cooperation” in the Written Statement by the Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park) on 3 February (HLWS83). The Government remains committed to keeping Parliament and the public informed. Further details will therefore be provided as the negotiating process develops.
The Government considers these topics under “Other Areas of Cooperation” in the Written Statement by the Lord Privy Seal (Baroness Evans of Bowes Park) on 3 February (HLWS83). The Government remains committed to keeping Parliament and the public informed. Further details will therefore be provided as the negotiating process develops.
I refer the noble Lord to Written Ministerial Statement HLWS83 made by the Lord Privy Seal.
The information requested is not held centrally by the Department of Business and Trade, primary legislation is outside the scope of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill.
The information requested is not held centrally by the Department of Business and Trade.
The Government currently appoints three non-executive directors to OneWeb’s board. Following completion of the proposed OneWeb – Eutelsat merger, Government would continue to be represented on the board of the combined business.
The China Investment Corporation (CIC) has a longstanding passive shareholding in Eutelsat of less than 4% that would be further diluted by the merger between Eutelsat and OneWeb. The CIC has never been represented on Eutelsat’s Board nor has it had access to any privileged information on Eutelsat or OneWeb’s operations.
The merger between OneWeb and Eutelsat is subject to UK and international regulatory approvals, including under the National Security and Investment Act 2021. The Government does not comment on individual cases.
At the time of writing, no launches of OneWeb satellites have taken place since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022. The next launch is currently scheduled for 23 October 2022 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India, using a Launch Vehicle Mark 3 developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation.
The value of the Government’s holding in OneWeb as at 31 March 2022 is £376m which is accounted for under the equity method of accounting and represents the latest point at which the Government valued the investment. The original equity investment was for £374m.
Since February 2019, OneWeb has launched 66% of its planned constellation over 13 successful launches. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, OneWeb suspended the remaining six launches from Baikonur.
Following successful conversations earlier this year, OneWeb announced plans for future launches with SpaceX and New Space India.
This information is commercially confidential and is a matter for the company.
The Board of OneWeb voted on 3 March to suspend all launches from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. OneWeb’s launch service provider, Arianespace, announced on 4 March it was suspending the use of Russian Soyuz launch vehicles.
Details of OneWeb’s launch agreements with Arianespace are commercially sensitive.
OneWeb’s launches are currently contracted with Arianespace, a French-headquartered multinational company. Arianespace use Russian launch vehicles, launching from the Far-East in Russia and Kazakhstan.
The Government’s golden share in OneWeb provides us with the final say over any future sale of the company and over future access to OneWeb technology by other countries on national security grounds. The Government will own an approximate 17.6% stake in OneWeb when Hanwha System’s investment closes later this year.
Spaceport Cornwall:
Saxa Vord Spaceport:
Details of satellite production and manufacturing are a commercial matter for the company.
The Government is using its position on the board of directors to encourage expansion of OneWeb’s UK content including onshoring the manufacture of its Generation 2 satellites.
The Programme has now reported on the options for improving the resilience of space-based PNT services, and the Government is considering the findings to determine the next steps as part of the business planning process.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) oversees Government’s investment in civil space programmes.
The UK Space Agency, a BEIS executive agency, is responsible for developing and delivering programmes to support innovation in the UK space industry. These include:
UK Research and Innovation also invests in multi-disciplinary research and development across the UK, which supports the exploitation of space technologies and pioneering scientific discovery.
The Ministry of Defence oversees Government’s investment in military space innovation.
This Government is committed to making the UK a global science and technology superpower and a meaningful actor in space. This will be achieved through the UK’s first comprehensive national space strategy that unleashes growth and innovation in the UK space sector. The strategy is progressing and will be published in due course.
The Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) establishes the principles under which US spaceflight technology (including launch vehicles, equipment, information, spacecraft) may be licensed for export by the US authorities to the UK for use in spaceflight activities.
The TSA was negotiated to deliver maximum possible commercial benefit to the UK, permitting spaceports to utilise both US and non-US operators.
The UK has a lot to offer and a lot to gain from working with the US. With the necessary export licences in place, of which the TSA provides the security framework under which the US export approval process can be made easier and quicker, it will allow US satellite customers to launch on UK launchers therefore providing great opportunities for UK launch providers to increase their access to customers from the US.
OneWeb has now raised $2.4bn of equity commitments from investors and while the most recent funding rounds are going through standard regulatory approval processes, we expect the company to begin generating revenues and profit in the coming years following the introduction of commercial services.
There are currently eight directors on the board, of which the Government holds three seats. These roles are currently filled by Hugo Robson (BEIS), Tom Cooper (UK Government Investments), and Rob Woodward (Chair of the Met Office). The board will expand in the coming months as recent investments receive regulatory clearance and independent directors are appointed.
The Government benefits from a number of board and shareholder reserved matters including some specific Government-reserved matters related to, among other things, the future sale of the company, future access to OneWeb technology and veto rights on the grounds of national security.
The Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Programme (SBPP) is on track and is continuing to explore innovative ways of delivering space-based Position Navigation and Timing (PNT) services to the UK. The programme will advise on options to Government for a space-based solution to improve our PNT resilience, as part of a mix of technologies, in November this year.
SBPP follows on from the work of the UK Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Programme, which concluded in September 2020. The cost of this programme was contained within the £92m allocated. In conjunction with industry, the GNSS programme developed detailed designs for a Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) PNT satellite system. SBPP is now looking at a broader set of innovative concepts for securing global space-based PNT services, to meet the resilience needs of our Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) and wider economic and domestic users.
The UK Spaceflight Programme has provided:
From October to November 2020, the UK Space Agency engaged industry and academia specialising in Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) via a Request for Information (RFI), designed to ensure a wide range of space-based concepts can be explored by the Space Based PNT Programme (SBPP).
SBPP’s analysis is ongoing and will assess how well different options meet the UK’s requirements for PNT information from space.
Details of satellite production and manufacturing are a commercial matter for the company. However, the Government would of course welcome R&D and manufacturing activity in the UK as part of efforts to grow the UK space sector.
The Space Based PNT programme is continuing to evaluate options for future PNT resilience in the UK.
Since the Government’s investment, OneWeb has launched 180 satellites, bringing the total number of satellites launched to 254.
OneWeb satellites are currently manufactured in Florida, USA. The payload (the active component), for the satellites is manufactured in the UK.
OneWeb currently utilises heavy launch via their ArianeSpace contract executed through the Soyuz launcher at Vostochny in Russia.
The Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Programme (SBPP) will explore new and alternative ways to deliver vital satellite navigation services to the United Kingdom which are critical for the functioning of transport systems, energy networks, mobile communications, national security and defence.
The new programme is developing its workstreams and a Request For Information has been sent to industry. Following this, the programme will conduct a number of assessments of potential options for a space-based position navigation and timing capability.
The terms of the deal offer opportunities to bring future research and development and manufacturing to the UK.
OneWeb will consider any expansion of the company and its supply chain in the UK as part of their regular business planning process.
On Friday 2 October 20, the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York confirmed OneWeb’s Chapter 11 plan of reorganisation, ensuring that the company remains on target to resume full business operations imminently.
This is a major step in OneWeb’s reorganisation process, and toward HM Government’s equity investment being completed.
The Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Programme (SBPP) will explore new and alternative ways to deliver vital satellite navigation services to the United Kingdom which are critical for the functioning of transport systems, energy networks, mobile communications, national security and defence.
Government investment in OneWeb was for a cutting-edge telecommunications capability based on market analysis. We have been clear that PNT service wasn't the rationale for this particular investment, but of course we are open to considering how alternative technologies including Low Earth Orbit constellations may be able to contribute to PNT resilience in the future.
The launch manifest and the chosen launch capabilities are commercial matters for OneWeb.
OneWeb currently has 74 spacecraft in orbit. The launch manifest and the chosen launch capabilities are commercial matters for the company.
On 7 May the Commission agreed to proceed with plans for enabling hybrid sittings. Hybrid proceedings would involve both virtual and physical participants. Any return to members attending the House would need to be staged and in line with guidance from Public Health England, including social distancing measures. The Procedure Committee will need to consider the procedural changes required to enable hybrid sittings to work effectively, and members will be provided with more detail on this in the weeks ahead.
Consumers are protected under the Mobile Roaming (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 which is the legislation in force to ensure mobile operators apply a financial limit on mobile data usage while users are abroad. The limit on data usage abroad is £45, which means a consumer cannot spend more than £45 unless they actively consent to continue spending over this cap.
Officials have had recent discussions with representatives of Ofcom to discuss a range of issues, including on the issue of mobile roaming.
Ministers and officials have had recent discussions with senior representatives of mobile operators on a range of issues, including on the issue of mobile roaming. The last Ministerial-level meeting with mobile operators was in September 2021.
During negotiations for the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU, the UK proposed the continuation of reciprocal agreements between the UK and EU to enable surcharge-free roaming. The EU did not agree. The decision on whether to impose a surcharge on consumers travelling abroad to the EU for their mobile phone usage is one for operators. We advise that consumers check with their operators before travelling.
Ministers and officials have regular discussions with senior representatives of mobile operators on a range of issues, including on the issue of mobile roaming, and HM Government will continue to promote a competitive marketplace that serves the interests of consumers.
This government recognises the importance of our world leading creative and cultural industries. That is why the UK took an ambitious approach during negotiations with the EU that would have ensured that touring musicians, performers and their support staff did not need work-permits to perform in the EU. Regrettably, our proposals were rejected by the EU, but our door remains open if the EU wants to reconsider its position.
A bespoke visa waiver agreement with the EU would require the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) to be renegotiated. The TCA is the basis of our trading relations with the EU, and this is not going to be renegotiated. Furthermore, the Commission would be likely to argue that any EU-wide visa waiver agreement can only be part of a wider package with a binding non-discrimination clause and a reciprocal visa waiver agreement covering all current and future Member States. This was what the Commission proposed in the negotiations and would be incompatible with our manifesto commitment to retain control of our borders.
Our focus is now on engaging with Member States, who are principally responsible for deciding the rules governing what work UK visitors can undertake in the EU. We have spoken to every Member State, involving British Embassies and DCMS ministers. We have established that musicians and performers do not require visas or work permits for short-term tours in at least 19 out of 27 Member States, including France and Germany.
We are now working closely with individual Member States that do require visas or permits for short-term touring to encourage them to adopt a more flexible approach, in line with the UK’s own rules which allow creative professionals to tour easily here. These countries are Spain, Portugal, Greece, Croatia, Malta, Bulgaria, and Romania. We are also still confirming the details of requirements with Cyprus.
The Mobile Roaming (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 is the legislation in force to ensure mobile operators apply a financial limit on mobile data usage while users are abroad. The limit on data usage abroad is £45, which means a consumer cannot spend more than £45 unless they actively consent to continue spending over this cap.
The communications regulator Ofcom has powers to set out the instances where UK mobile providers are required to give notice of price changes. Ofcom’s General Conditions set out that providers should give notice not shorter than one month of any modifications likely to be of material detriment and allow its customers to withdraw from their contracts without penalty upon such notice.
The current rules on mobile roaming in the EU endure until the end of the Transition Period. Following the Transition Period the arrangements for roaming, including surcharges, would depend on the outcome of the negotiations with the EU. Discussions with the EU on arrangements for consumers, for example in the area of mobile roaming, are not precluded. However, the government has already legislated to ensure that the requirements on mobile operators to apply a financial limit on mobile data usage while abroad is retained in UK law post-Transition Period.