Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
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 meet the Newport Wafer Fab Staff Association.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The decisions of the Secretary of State under the National Security & Investment Act are quasi-judicial. As is required under the NSI Act, the Secretary of State considered all representations made before making the Final Order. It would not be appropriate for the Secretary of State to discuss his decision.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that the jobs at the Newport Wafer Fab are protected.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The Government understands the importance Nexperia Newport Ltd (formerly Newport Wafer Fab) to the local economy and the South Wales semiconductor Cluster and that this will be an uncertain time for employees. Decisions regarding the day-to-day running of the Newport site are a matter for the owners, but officials will work closely with Nexperia BV to implement the Secretary of State’s decision.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, if he will publish the recommendation from the BEIS Investment Security Unit on the Newport Wafer Fab divestment decision.
Answered by Nusrat Ghani
The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy takes decisions under the National Security and Investment Act 2021 in a quasi-judicial capacity, based on the facts and evidence. It would not be appropriate to share details of the national security assessment, including advice provided by officials to the Secretary of State in support of his quasi-judicial role.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
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 merits of the recommendation from industry to integrate military and civil space operations into a National Space Operations Centre to jointly operate key national infrastructure and maximise data sharing on the UK's space capability.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy will consider the ways in which our international and national security strategy must evolve as the world changes. This will include an assessment of the space capabilities needed by the UK in the future.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
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 merits of representations from industry to develop a sovereign space-based positioning, navigation and timing capability on the UK's space capability.
Answered by Amanda Solloway
The Government’s Space-Based Positioning Navigation and Timing Programme (SBPP) is exploring innovative and alternative ways of delivering vital satellite navigation and timing services to the UK. These services are critical for electricity networks, communications systems, and the maritime, aviation and defence sectors, as well as for getting from A to B.
In October a ‘Request for Information’ consultation was opened with industry and academia to ensure the right space-based solutions are explored by the new programme. This has now closed, we are grateful for the inputs received and are now considering this feedback that will set out approach and workstreams going forward.
Once approved, the SBPP Pre-Market Engagement strategy will set out the next steps and timings for engagement with and the opportunities for industry in 2021. Further details will be shared as soon as possible.
This work will boost the UK’s already thriving space industry and expertise, whilst paving the way for a more ’Global Britain’, with greater independence from foreign systems.