Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberavon)
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 to tackle recruitment agencies that unlawfully charge recruitment fees for people seeking roles in the care sector.
Answered by Paul Scully
The Employment Agencies Act 1973 and its associated Conduct Regulations apply to all recruitment agencies operating in Great Britain and are enforced by the Employment Agency Standards (EAS) Inspectorate. This state-enforced framework prohibits recruitment agencies operating in Great Britain from charging work-finding fees, so any agency in the care sector in Great Britain that charges work-finding fees is acting illegally. EAS investigates all relevant complaints. It takes a compliance-based approach initially to support businesses to correct breaches but does undertake robust enforcement action where necessary.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberavon)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
If he will invoke section 400 of the Insolvency Act 1986 to direct the official receiver to ensure that the power supply for Baglan Energy Park remains connected until a permanent connection to the National Grid is secured.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
We understand this is a concerning time for those impacted by the liquidation of the Baglan Group. We cannot offer any further comment at this stage in view of ongoing legal action.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberavon)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what critical infrastructure his Department is responsible for that is reliant on private wire networks for power supply.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
A private wire is a distribution network that is not owned or operated by a licensed network operator. It comprises a direct and exclusive connection between a demand user and a generator that are separate entities. The Department is not aware of any critical infrastructure that is reliant on these arrangements.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberavon)
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 to help ensure that wind turbine blades are recycled rather than placed in landfill sites.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Industry is working to develop innovative ways of recycling or reusing wind turbines. The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, in partnership with High Value Manufacturing Catapult’s National Composites Centre, and supported by The Crown Estate, Net Zero Technology Centre and RenewableUK, launched SusWind in 2021. This project will discover and demonstrate viable ways to recycle composite wind turbine blades and explore the use of sustainable materials and processes.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberavon)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, how many private wire networks supplying power there are in England as of 13 January 2022.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Private wires typically connect electricity generators directly with industrial & commercial demand customers, or act as networks at sites such as ports, airports or business parks.
They are not required to apply or register with the Government or its energy regulator.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberavon)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what plans he has to bring forward a green steel deal.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
As my Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State stated in his evidence to the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Select Committee on 20 July 2021, the Government is keen to have a more sustainable, long-term approach to the sector. The Department is continuing to work with the sector through the Steel Council, and additional regular dialogue, to understand the options to achieve decarbonisation.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberavon)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, on what date the Steel Council (a) last met and (b) will next meet.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
My Rt. Hon. Friend the Secretary of State reformed and co-chaired the UK Steel Council in 2021. There have so far been four meetings: March, May, July and most recently on 28 September.
The next meeting is being scheduled for early 2022.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberavon)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with the Welsh Government on helping to minimise disruption to the power supply on the Baglan Energy Park.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Officials have met weekly with their counterparts in the Welsh Government since March 2021 to discuss the compulsory liquidation of the Baglan Group and the potential impact on businesses at Baglan Energy Park. Officials continue to provide regular updates including ongoing contingency planning by the Welsh Government and the affected businesses.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberavon)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to take steps to support businesses located in the Baglan Energy Park with their energy supply.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
On 24 March 2021, the Baglan Group (“Baglan”) including Calon Energy (Baglan Bay) Ltd, Baglan Generating Ltd, Baglan Operations Ltd and Baglan Pipeline Ltd, entered compulsory liquidation. The Secretary of State provided an indemnity to the Official Receiver that same day to ensure Baglan’s sites and operations could be secured, and that health and safety concerns associated with the sites could be addressed. This has enabled the private wire network, which supplies electricity to businesses on the Baglan Energy Park, to remain active whilst the Official Receiver develops and implements his disposal plan.
Contingency planning is a devolved matter for the Welsh Government who are working closely with all affected businesses. Officials continue to engage closely with the Welsh Government and provide support where appropriate.
Asked by: Stephen Kinnock (Labour - Aberavon)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what estimate he has made of the monthly cost of maintaining the energy supply to Baglan Energy Park after 30 November 2021.
Answered by Greg Hands - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)
I am advised by the Official Receiver, who was appointed as liquidator as of 24 March 2021 of the Baglan Group, including Calon Energy (Baglan Bay) Ltd, Baglan Generating Ltd, Baglan Operations Ltd and Baglan Pipeline Ltd, that the estimated monthly cost of maintaining the energy supply to Baglan Energy Park after 30 November 2021 is approximately £1.2m.