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1151673

	registered interest
	date	22/10/2019
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Post Offices: Rural Areas
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote access to, and services provided by, rural post offices; and wwhether they will provide an update on the status of the Post Office Card Account.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL310
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 30/10/2019 answer text <p>Government committed in its 2017 manifesto to safeguard the Post Office network and protect existing rural services, recognising the important role post offices play in serving their communities. The Government promotes access to rural post offices by setting accessibility criteria which the Post Office must meet. This ensures that in rural areas over 95% of people are within 3 miles of their nearest post office service. In remote and rural areas where it is difficult to deliver services to consumers via a permanent site, Post Office Limited use outreach services, such as a mobile van, or a village hall. These offer the same products and services as bricks-and-mortar branches.</p><p> </p><p>In recent years the Government has provided over £2bn investment into the Post Office which has seen over 7700 branches modernised, many thousands in rural areas. Having a modern accessible network enables the Post Office to secure and deliver services for customers, such as banking, bill payment and mails services, across the whole network, including rural areas, where in many cases the post office is the last shop in the village.</p><p> </p><p>The contract for the Post Office Card Account (POca) is a commercial matter for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and Post Office Limited (POL). The contract will come to an end on 30 November 2021. DWP is working with Post Office Limited (POL) to prepare POca users for this by undertaking a project to move significant volumes of existing POca service users onto a mainstream bank account. Those POca customers who transition to a mainstream account will still be able to access their pension and benefit payments via the post office. <br> <br> For claimants who are unable to open a mainstream account ahead of this date, DWP will implement an alternative payment service that allows users to obtain cash payments whatever their location before the end of the contract.</p> answering member printed Lord Duncan of Springbank question first answered 30/10/2019 17:22:37 answering member 4686 label Biography information for Lord Duncan of Springbank
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1191890

	registered interest
	date	29/04/2020
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Small Businesses: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what specific support they have identified for small and medium-size enterprises operating in (1) the tourism, (2) the hospitality, and (3) the retail sectors, (a) who are experiencing cash flow problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic, (b) who pay council tax in lieu of business rates, and (c) who have commercial mortgages and are therefore ineligible for payment holidays. [T]
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL3708
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 06/05/2020 answer text <p>The two existing business grants schemes have helped supported many thousands of small businesses.</p><p> </p><p>To ensure that Local Authorities can help these businesses, the Government has allocated additional up to £617 million funding to Local Authorities in England to allow them to provide discretionary grants.</p><p> </p><p>It is our intention that the following businesses should be considered as a priority for these funds:</p><p>· Businesses in a range of shared workspaces;</p><p>· Regular market traders who do not have their own business rates assessment;</p><p>· B&amp;Bs which pay Council Tax instead of business rates; and</p><p>· Charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 06/05/2020 16:37:55 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1199433

	registered interest
	date	02/06/2020
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Weather
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the jetstream on recent weather events; and what plans they have to conduct research into the role of the jetstream in extreme weather events.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL5034
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/06/2020 answer text <p>Extended spells of dry sunny weather during spring are primarily a consequence of the large-scale circulation and buckling of the jet stream allowing for the development of persistent high-pressure systems close to the UK. In spring 2020 the jet stream shifted to the north-west of the UK and successive areas of high pressure dominated the country, leading to sunny, warm and dry conditions. Weather conditions in February 2020 were also due to a change in the jet stream. In this instance, a strengthening of the jet over the UK delivered multiple storms and record rainfall. In both cases, the conditions were predicted in some detail days ahead in Met Office short-range weather forecasts and also anticipated in its long-range outlooks.</p><p> </p><p>The role of the jet stream in influencing UK weather is well understood. The next step is to understand what is driving the behaviour of the jet steam when there are extremes. There is strong evidence from research by the Met Office that global connections from the tropics were responsible for the behaviour of the jet stream during February 2020. Work is ongoing to examine what influenced the jet stream during spring 2020. Future research by the Met Office will examine current variability in the jet stream and the effect on UK weather.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 16/06/2020 11:07:22 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1246907

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Energy Supply
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what infrastructure is required to transfer energy from battery storage to the National Grid; and whether pylons form part of that infrastructure.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9731
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2020 answer text <p>A number of methods can be used to transfer energy from battery storage facilities to transmission and distribution systems. The choice of which method to use (undergrounding or overgrounding) depends on a range of factors, including technical assessments, environmental impacts and costs.</p><p> </p><p>Battery storage is often connected at the distribution network rather than national grid transmission level, and as it is often located close to existing grid supply points requirements for additional pylons are reduced. Any proposals for the use of pylons will be subject to careful consideration through the planning regime, taking account of the views of local people and other relevant stakeholders.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 11/11/2020 16:31:38 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1246908

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Energy Supply
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government whether energy stored in batteries for the National Grid is used to provide energy to communities located near to such batteries.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9732
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2020 answer text <p>Batteries can provide a range of services to the electricity system, such as storing electricity from renewable generation during periods of low demand and releasing electricity when prices are high, as well as helping to reduce the cost of balancing the system. They can provide services at both local (community) and national levels.</p><p> </p><p>Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) also operate local markets for flexibility services. These provide additional opportunities for batteries to support the decarbonisation of, and provide energy to, their local communities.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 11/11/2020 16:30:55 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1246909

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2020
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Insolvency: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to paragraph 7.7 of the Explanatory Memorandum to the Corporate Insolvency and Governance (Coronavirus) (Extension of the Relevant Period) Regulations 2020, when will (1) the permanent procedural moratorium rules be laid before Parliament under the Corporate and Insolvency Governance Act 2020, and (2) the consultation with the Insolvency Rules Committee regarding the permanent rules covering England and Wales commence.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL9733
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/11/2020 answer text <p>Work on amendments to the Insolvency (England and Wales) Rules 2016 to provide permanent procedural rules for the moratorium introduced by the Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 is ongoing and the relevant regulations will be laid when Parliamentary time allows. The Government is aware that the current temporary provision expires on 30 March 2021 (subject to any extensions) and will have regard to that fact for the purpose of preparing and laying the permanent rules.</p><p> </p><p>The Government intends that consultation with the Insolvency Rules Committee regarding these rules, as required by law, will commence in November 2020.</p><p> </p><p>Separate rules will be required for Scotland and, since this area is partially devolved, the timing of those rules will be subject to further discussions with the Scottish Government.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 11/11/2020 16:30:33 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1249839

	registered interest
	date	09/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Renewable Energy
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what infrastructure they plan to deploy to transmit the electricity generated from renewables both onshore and offshore to the national grid; and whether they plan to exclude the use of overhead powerlines for that purpose.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL10082
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/11/2020 answer text <p>Regulation of the electricity network is a matter for Ofgem as the independent regulator. It is the responsibility of network companies to provide the infrastructure required to transmit electricity generated from renewables and they do this according to the framework set out by Ofgem through the price control. A number of methods can be used to transfer energy to transmission and distribution systems, including overhead powerlines. The choice of which method to use depends on a range of factors, including technical assessments, environmental impacts and costs.</p><p> </p><p>The Offshore Transmission Network Review is currently considering how best to connect offshore renewable energy in the most efficient way, with a view to finding the appropriate balance between environmental, social and economic costs.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 23/11/2020 16:51:26 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1250564

	registered interest
	date	10/11/2020
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Electricity Generation: Waste
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that electricity generated by waste-to-energy facilities will be used to the benefit of the local community closest to where the electricity is generated.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL10179
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/11/2020 answer text <p>Local communities are already able to benefit from the sale of electricity from Energy from Waste (EfW) plants in those instances where the local authority has made a provision to retain revenue from the sale when tendering a waste processing contract.</p><p> </p><p>For EfW plants that utilise combined heat and power (CHP) technologies the local area can also benefit from the supply of low carbon heat, either via a heat network to heat homes and commercial premises or by direct connection to an industrial site to help incentivise businesses.</p><p> </p><p>The Government is supporting EfW-based networks through its £320m Heat Network Investment Project and from 2022 an additional £270m will be available through the Green Heat Network Fund.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 24/11/2020 17:24:27 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1273494

	registered interest
	date	30/12/2020
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Night-time Economy: Coronavirus
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the restrictions put in place to address the COVID-19 pandemic on (1) the income of businesses working in, and (2) jobs related to, the night-time economy; and what steps they are taking to address any such impact.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL11671
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 14/01/2021 answer text <p>Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government has worked closely with the hospitality sector, including those operating in the night-time economy, to understand and mitigate the impact of the pandemic on their businesses.</p><p> </p><p>Night-time economy businesses have been able to benefit from government support, including the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, government-backed loans, Local Restrictions Support Grants, additional funding provided to Local Authorities to support businesses and the Cultural Relief Fund.</p><p> </p><p>On 5 January, when the new national lockdown began, my Rt. Hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced a one-off top up grant for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses worth up to £9,000 per property to help businesses through to the spring. A £594 million discretionary fund has also been made available to support other impacted businesses.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 14/01/2021 16:33:11 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering

1279507

	registered interest
	date	21/01/2021
	answering body	Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept id	201
	answering dept short name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	answering dept sort name	Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
	hansard heading	Coal: Imports
	house id	2
	legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
	question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to permit greater coal imports for the UK’s heritage market should the UK’s coal industry fail to meet the demands of that market.
	tabling member printed	Baroness McIntosh of Pickering
	uin	HL12439
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/02/2021 answer text <p>In line with our Net Zero target, the Government is committed to phasing out unabated coal-fired power generation by 2025, and is consulting on moving this date forward to 2024. This policy applies to coal-fired power stations only – it does not apply to other coal consumers such as heritage railways, or to domestic coal mines. Companies do not require permission from the Government to import coal; the sourcing of coal for use in heritage railways and other industries is a private commercial decision for the companies involved.</p> answering member printed Lord Callanan question first answered 04/02/2021 17:59:01 answering member 4336 label Biography information for Lord Callanan
	tabling member	384 label Biography information for Baroness McIntosh of Pickering