Asked by: Nicholas Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, with reference to the Answer of 7 October 2019 to Question 290330 and to the Answer of 1 October 2019 to Question 290324, if she will introduce the same policy as the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and switch to an electricity provider that supplies electricity solely from renewable resources within 12 months; and for what reason her Department has not already ensured its electricity is supplied solely from renewable resources.
Answered by Conor Burns
All government departments are mandated to use the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Energy frameworks for the supply of gas, electricity and liquid fuels.
The CCS competes the frameworks on the open market and selects the energy providers according to a set of award criteria, normally based on price and quality. The current suppliers of each of these services are:
The department transferred the facilities management of its main buildings at 3 Whitehall Place and 55 Whitehall Place, London to the Government Property Agency (GPA) in September 2019. The GPA is responsible for the supply of electricity to these sites. Prior to this the Ministry of Justice was responsible for providing facilities management services, including the supply of electricity.
The department occupies other properties both in the UK and internationally. The supply of electricity at these sites including the choice of supplier is either the landlord’s or main occupier’s responsibility.
Asked by: Nicholas Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which provider supplies energy to her Department; how much CO2 was emitted through her Department’s energy consumption in the latest period for which figures are available; whether the criteria her Department uses to select an energy supplier includes how environmentally friendly the supplier is; and what recent steps her Department has taken to reduce CO2 emissions from its energy use.
Answered by Conor Burns
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is mandated to use the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Energy frameworks for the supply of gas, electricity and liquid fuels. The CCS competes the frameworks on the open market and selects the energy providers according to a set of award criteria, normally based on price and quality.
The current suppliers of each of these services are as follows:
DIT publishes its Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in its Annual Report and Accounts. The latest published figures show 712 t/CO2e from Scope 1 (Direct) and Scope 2 (Energy indirect) emissions and this covers the 12 months to 31 December 18. In the 12 months to 31 March 2019, which is the most up to date information available from DIT’s facilities management provider, the equivalent figure is 705 t/CO2e from energy use. This data relates only to the Department’s 3 Whitehall Place and 55 Whitehall buildings and the space it occupies in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s King Charles Street building. It excludes overseas locations and buildings where the Department is a tenant, either in London or in the rest of the UK.
The Department’s 3 Whitehall Place office has benefited from investment by previous tenants, the Department of Energy & Climate Change, in energy and carbon saving plant equipment such as a dedicated small IT chiller and LED lighting. Continued reductions in emissions have been achieved through improved building management and decarbonisation of grid electricity.
Asked by: Nicholas Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, whether his Department has had discussions with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the UK Steel charter.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is aware of the UK Steel Charter through the cross-department procurement policy working group and we are reviewing our position. DIT is regularly in discussion with BEIS on how we can support UK based steel companies through international trade and investment.
Asked by: Nicholas Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, if he will sign his Department up to the UK Steel charter.
Answered by Graham Stuart
The Department for International Trade (DIT) is considering the content of the UK Steel Charter and will respond in due course. We are already taking action to level the playing field for UK steel producers when competing for central government contracts. The Cabinet Office issued Guidance and Procurement Policy Note 11/16 on steel procurement and DIT is committed to ensure compliance of its procurements with this policy.
Asked by: Nicholas Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, what steps the Government is taking to (a) protect the steel sector and (b) mitigate the effect of a potential rapid change in export trade restrictions in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Answered by George Hollingbery
We have now established the Trade Remedies Investigations Directorate (TRID) which will be responsible for assessing the case for a trade remedies measure, used to protect UK business including steel from unfair and injurious trade practises such as dumping and subsidization. This trade remedies function is currently held within DIT but will be established as an arm’s length, independent body, known as The Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) following Royal Assent of the Trade Bill.
Following a consultation with UK producers, we have identified UK production in 26 of the existing EU 45 trade remedy measures on steel products. These measures will be transitioned to the UK’s independent trade policy upon exit from the EU. The Government will also transition those EU definitive safeguard measures where there is a UK producer interest. This ensures that UK businesses will have the protection they need.
The Government is also engaging extensively with the steel industry to ensure businesses have the information they need to comply with any change in export procedures should there be a ‘no deal’ EU exit.
Asked by: Nicholas Dakin (Labour - Scunthorpe)
Question to the Department for International Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, (a) what level of tariffs UK steel producers exporting to Turkey are expected to pay and (b) what steps the Government is taking to help ensure a level playing field for UK steel exports in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.
Answered by George Hollingbery
If the UK were to leave the EU without a deal, Turkey would apply its “Most Favoured Nation” duty rates on all goods imported from the UK. This would mean, based on Turkey’s current applied MFN rates, that finished steel from the UK would face tariffs between 0% and 40% depending on the type of product. The Government is committed to exploring all options for enabling continuity of trade and will progress these with Turkey as soon as possible.
The UK is working with other countries – including Turkey – through the G20 Global Forum for Steel Excess Capacity that its recommendations on ensuring a level playing field for steel companies are implemented by all members.