Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what measures the Government is taking to expand National Grid capacity.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Government is working at pace with Ofgem, the National Energy System Operator and network companies to deliver reforms to ensure Great Britain’s electricity network can meet growing electricity demand, connect new generation, reduce congestion and maintain secure and reliable supplies.
Measures include reforming planning and consenting, moving to strategic whole-system network planning, supporting supply chains and skills, and streamlining regulation. These reforms aim to accelerate delivery times for major transmission infrastructure while maintaining value for money for consumers.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department plans to strengthen the regulation of lithium-ion batteries and conversion kits available to modify e-bikes.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
Under existing UK product regulations, lithium-ion batteries and e-bike conversion kits must be safe before being placed on the market. Businesses are responsible for complying with all relevant regulatory requirements, including providing necessary information and warnings to enable safe use.
The Government sought views on whether targeted regulations may be appropriate for product types raised in the passage of the Product Regulation and Metrology Act, including lithium-ion batteries in our product safety framework consultation. We are carefully considering the responses and will publish our response in due course.
Asked by: Neil Coyle (Labour - Bermondsey and Old Southwark)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, whether his Department plans to review the employment status framework for gig-economy workers to ensure that riders and delivery companies have enforceable health and safety responsibilities in relation to E-bikes and the way they are ridden.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The proposals in the employment status consultation seek to make it easier for people, including those in the gig economy, to access core employment rights.
The Government expects those driving or riding for work to keep both themselves and other road users safe. As such we have committed to piloting a new voluntary Work-Related Road Safety Charter that is being developed in partnership with industry. The Charter will be informed by existing schemes such as Driving for Better Business and encourage everyone involved in driving or riding for work to improve road safety. That includes consideration of delivery drivers on E-bikes.