Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking with Cabinet colleagues to mitigate the impact of rising fuel costs on motorists in Newport West constituency.
Answered by Greg Hands
The Government is conscious of the impact of fuel prices on households across the country and has therefore decided to keep fuel duty frozen for the twelfth consecutive year.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government has taken to assess the adequacy of the level of remuneration that musicians in Newport West constituency receive from music streaming services.
Answered by George Freeman
A comprehensive programme of research and extensive stakeholder engagement is underway to investigate the issues around music creator remuneration highlighted by the Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport Select Committee’s inquiry into the economics of music streaming. This work will strengthen the Government’s evidence base on this issue.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
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 any plans to extend the Warm Home Discount scheme.
Answered by Greg Hands
The Warm Home Discount is a key policy in the Government’s strategy to tackle fuel poverty and reduce the energy costs of low-income and vulnerable households. The Government has therefore committed to extend the scheme until 2026, as outlined in the Energy White Paper.
The Government consulted on expanding and reforming the Warm Home Discount from 2022. Under the plans, the total spending will increase from around £350 million to £475 million per year, and the value of the rebates will increase to £150. As a result of the additional funding, 780,000 more low-income and vulnerable households will receive rebates on their energy bills every winter, with the majority receiving the money automatically and without having to apply.
The Government’s response to the consultation is due to be published this spring, with the expanded and reformed scheme coming into force from the 2022/23 scheme year.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how much of Innovate UK’s increased budget will be made available to support the maritime sector.
Answered by George Freeman
Following the Spending Review, BEIS will set R&D budgets through to 2024/25. Further details of how this funding will be allocated will be announced in due course.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the impact of rising electricity prices on the sustainability of UK steelmakers.
Answered by Lee Rowley
We recognise the effect rising energy prices are having on businesses of all sizes and we are regularly engaging with them to discuss impacts and mitigations.
Since 2013, we have provided more than £2 billion in relief to help energy intensive industries with the costs of electricity, with over £600 million for steel. In addition, we have various funds in place to support businesses with high energy use to cut their bills, including the £315 million Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
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 discussed the rise in energy costs with the Welsh Government.
Answered by Greg Hands
Yes, my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State has met with Devolved Administrations, including the Welsh Government at a ministerial level to discuss rising energy prices. Engagement at an official level is ongoing.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the impact of the Welsh-based financial services company Admiral closing its Newport office on the economy of Newport West constituency.
Answered by Paul Scully
It is disappointing that in streamlining its office presence in South Wales Admiral has announced it will begin a phased exit of its Newport City Centre offices in 2022. However, it is positive that the leader of Newport City Council has committed to working closely with Admiral and its landlord to ensure the building’s future use is fully explored and secured.
The UK Government is playing its part in supporting Newport’s post-pandemic economy and is investing over £2m through the Community Renewal Fund to level up the city. This includes a project to develop entrepreneurs in the Pillgwenlly area of Newport. Developing entrepreneurs and start-up businesses will be key to the future of Newport’s economy and its newly developed workspaces.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what forecast he has made of trends in the cost of gas and electricity in the UK up to the end of 2022.
Answered by Greg Hands
The Government is monitoring the significant increases in wholesale energy prices closely, and meeting regularly with Ofgem, suppliers and consumer groups to understand the future impact on consumers as well as to discuss potential mitigations.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of the proposed increase in the rate of National Insurance on levels of fuel poverty in Newport West constituency.
Answered by Greg Hands
Fuel poverty is a devolved matter. The Department only has responsibility for England. Therefore, no estimate has been made by the Department on the impact of proposed changes to National Insurance on levels of fuel poverty in Newport West constituency, Wales.
Asked by: Ruth Jones (Labour - Newport West and Islwyn)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what forecast he has made of trends in the cost of fuel in the UK up to the end of 2022.
Answered by Greg Hands
Retail prices of petroleum products such as petrol and diesel are primarily driven by the underlying price in the global market of crude oil (priced in US$) and exchange rates. Recognising that fuel is a major cost for households and businesses, the Government has kept fuel duty frozen for 12 successive years.