Written questions by Chadwick.

Whether he has held discussions with the European Commission on mitigating the potential impact of proposed EU steel import quotas on UK steel exports.

We are in active dialogue with the European Commission on this issue. The Secretary of State spoke about it with Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, on 20 October. We will continue to take a cool-headed approach to any possible tariffs and remain prepared to defend the UK’s national interest where it is right to do so.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing steel import quotas to ensure that 60 per cent of steel used in the UK is made by domestic producers.

Steel is a top priority for this Government and we recognise the continuing challenges facing the UK steel industry – driven by global overcapacity and with a changing landscape on international trade.This Government is developing a steel strategy to be published in 2025 that will set out a long-term vision for a bright and sustainable steel sector in the UK and the actions needed to get there. Moreover, we will will ensure there is a plan in place for the UK steel industry in light of the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of changes in the UK's steelmaking capacity on the UK's (a) defence and (b) critical infrastructure.

The UK steel sector provides vital support to the UK’s defence capabilities including specialist cast and forged steel components for a range of UK defence programmes such as submarines, surface vessels and artillery barrels. An initial assessment of the impact of changes in UK Steelmaking capacity on the UK’s (a) defence and (b) critical infrastructure is deemed low. Steel used in our major Defence programmes is sourced by our prime contractors from a range of UK and international suppliers, as programmes may often have requirements for specialist steel which cannot be sourced in the UK. The amount and origins of steel procured for Defence programmes is included in the Department for Business and Trade’s annual Steel Public Procurement report which can be found on the gov.uk website: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/steel-public-procurement This Government is producing a steel strategy that will consider implications for Defence and Critical infrastructure and create the right conditions in the UK for a competitive and sustainable steel industry.

What recent discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and (b) representatives of the Welsh steel industry on the potential impact of proposed EU steel import quotas on (i) steel production and (ii) employment in Wales.

I met with the Minister for Industry to discuss the potential impact of proposed EU steel proposals and continue to work closely with cabinet colleagues as Government responds to protect our domestic steel industry. I remain in close contact with all Welsh steelmakers and have had numerous discussions with Tata Steel UK and steel unions to understand the potential impact on individual businesses. As Chair of the Port Talbot Transition Board, I also discussed this with members at the October meeting. We recognise that global trading conditions remain challenging for the steel industry as global overcapacity, trade diversion and weak demand continue to put downward pressure on prices. To address these conditions, the Government intervened earlier this year to strengthen the current steel safeguard measures. This Government will continue to review stronger trade measures to protect steel producers in South Wales and across the UK. We are actively engaging at all levels with the European Commission, and key Member States, with the aim of securing a positive outcome for the UK. We will always defend our critical steel industry, which is vital for the UK.

What steps his Department is taking to secure UK-specific country quotas for steel exports under the European Commission’s proposed import quota system.

The Government is actively assessing the potential impact of this proposal, and we are in active dialogue with the European Commission on the details of their proposal and next steps. We will continue to take a cool-headed approach to any possible tariffs and remain prepared to defend the UK’s national interest where it is right to do so.

Whether his Department has made an assessment of the legislative changes required to disestablish the Church of England.

The Church of England is by law the Established Church in England. The relationship between the Church and State is a core part of our constitutional framework that has evolved over centuries. The Government has no plans to disestablish the Church of England and therefore no assessment has been made of the legislative changes that would be required.

What recent discussions her Department has had with the European Commission on the timetable for implementing its proposals to replace the EU steel safeguard system; and whether the Government has sought transitional arrangements for UK-based producers.

We are in active dialogue with the European Commission on this issue. The Secretary of State spoke about it with Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, on 20 October.We reserve the right to take any action in response to any changes to our trading relationships to protect steel jobs and defend our steel industry.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the Celtic Sea Floating Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 on economic regeneration in Neath Port Talbot.

The UK Government recognises the major opportunities floating offshore wind presents for Wales and I am determined to ensure that we take full advantage of them.Gwynt Glas (a joint venture between EDF Renewables and ESB) and Equinor have now entered into Agreements for Lease with The Crown Estate to develop two 1.5GW Floating Offshore Wind farms in the Celtic Sea through the Leasing Round 5 process, in addition to the five floating wind Test and Demonstration projects (totalling 432MW of capacity) already in development in the region. The Crown Estate has confirmed that work is underway on options to deliver a third 1.5GW lease area.These new windfarms will be among the largest of their kind in the world and have the capacity to deliver enough power for more than four million homes. It is estimated this new industry will support over 5,000 new jobs and deliver a £1.4 billion-pound boost to the UK economy, it will also help deliver transformational change to places like Port Talbot. As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the UK Government has reconfirmed up to £80 million for port infrastructure investment in Port Talbot to supporting floating offshore wind and green growth in Wales.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of the European Commission’s proposal to reduce tariff-free steel import quotas and increase out-of-quota tariffs to 50% on UK steel exports; and what steps she is taking to negotiate UK-specific quotas for steel products.

The Government is actively assessing the potential impact of this proposal and we are in active dialogue with the European Commission on the details of their proposal and next steps.We reserve the right to take any action in response to any changes to our trading relationships to protect steel jobs and defend our steel industry.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of ensuring the continuation of domestic steel manufacturing on the UK’s (a) critical national infrastructure resilience and (b) emergency response capability.

We recognise the strategic importance of a secure and resilient steel supply, and the domestic steel sector has an important role to play in supporting our national infrastructure, defence capability and broader national resilience. This government will continue to support security of supply that protects our national resilience. These factors, among many others, will inform part of our wider approach to the sector ahead of the publication of the steel strategy later this year, and, as announced in the industrial strategy, steel will be a component of ongoing analysis conducted by the new Supply Chain Centre.

Whether her Department plans to introduce new UK steel import safeguards to replace the current regime when it expires in 2026.

Steel is a top priority for this Government and we recognise the continuing challenges facing the UK steel industry – driven by persistent global overcapacity and with a changing landscape on international trade.We will ensure there is a plan in place for the UK steel industry in light of the expiry of the global safeguard measure on certain steel imports next year. That is why we launched a Call for Evidence on Steel Trade Measures on the 26th of June to inform the design of any potential trade measures, including appropriate tariff rates and quota levels.

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of the temporary shutdown at Port Talbot steelworks on local supply-chain businesses.

Tata Steel UK has made an operational decision to extend existing Christmas maintenance periods at three of their sites, Port Talbot Hot Rolled Products, Trostre, and Llanwern Pickle line. We know this will be a worrying time for Tata’s staff and for their local supply-chain businesses and we remain in close contact with Tata to monitor the situation and assess any potential impacts.

What information his Department holds on the planned timeline for (a) the first turbines to become operational and (b) other aspects of the projects awarded leases under the Crown Estate’s Celtic Sea Floating Offshore Wind Leasing Round Five.

The Crown Estate has announced that Equinor and Gwynt Glas have now entered into agreements for lease to develop two new 1.5GW floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea, which could be operational by the mid-2030s. The Crown Estate has estimated that full delivery of the Round could support over 5,000 new jobs and deliver a £1.4bn boost to the UK economy. While timing and allocation of contracts for manufacturing, construction and maintenance of the windfarms are commercial decisions for the companies involved, the Government is engaging with ports and public finance institutions to support development of supply chain and infrastructure needed for these projects and future floating wind development.

If she will make it her policy to introduce fiscal measures to support the long-term competitiveness of the UK steel industry in the Autumn Budget 2025.

This Government remains committed to supporting the UK steel industry. The Government will also set out a long-term vision for a revitalised and sustainable sector in a Steel Strategy to be published by the end of the year.

What recent discussions he has had with representatives of UK Steel on aligning the UK's industrial power prices with those of competitor economies.

Details of Ministers' meetings with external individuals and organisations are published quarterly in arrears on GOV.UK. The Government believes that our mission to deliver clean power by 2030 is the best way to break our dependence on global fossil fuel markets and protect billpayers permanently. The creation of Great British Energy will help us to harness clean energy with less reliance on volatile international energy markets and help in our commitment to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. As part of our Clean Energy Industries Plan, we have announced that from 2027 a new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by £35-40/MWh up to 2030. Thousands of businesses will see their electricity costs drop by around 20-25% under a new exemption scheme, bringing their costs more closely in line with European competitors.

Whether the Government plans to disapply the Procurement Act 2023 to UK-produced steel used in public infrastructure projects under Section 25 of that Act.

The Government is committed to supporting the steel sector, and is considering a range of options to ensure that public procurement supports UK jobs and industry, including steel.

When his Department expects the Crown Estate and developers participating in the Celtic Sea Floating Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 to announce the locations for turbine manufacturing, assembly and maintenance facilities; and if he will publish details of the bidding or selection process for those supply-chain contracts.

The Crown Estate has announced that Equinor and Gwynt Glas have now entered into agreements for lease to develop two new 1.5GW floating offshore wind projects in the Celtic Sea, which could be operational by the mid-2030s. The Crown Estate has estimated that full delivery of the Round could support over 5,000 new jobs and deliver a £1.4bn boost to the UK economy. While timing and allocation of contracts for manufacturing, construction and maintenance of the windfarms are commercial decisions for the companies involved, the Government is engaging with ports and public finance institutions to support development of supply chain and infrastructure needed for these projects and future floating wind development.

Whether the Government plans to reinvest a share of Crown Estate income from the Celtic Sea Floating Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 into local economic development in Neath Port Talbot.

The Crown Estate pays its entire net profits into the Consolidated Fund each year, contributing to the funding of public services across the UK, including in Wales. The Crown Estate is taking steps to ensure that Wales benefits from offshore wind development. It has launched a £50 million Supply Chain Accelerator, with four Welsh-based projects successful in the first funding round, to support early-stage supply-chain proposals. Alongside the Supply Chain Investment Programme, this aims to unlock capacity constraints, accelerate project delivery and create local economic opportunities, including jobs and skills development in Wales. The Crown Estate’s Round 5 Agreements for Lease also include contractually enforceable social value and economic commitments. These obligations are designed to translate leasing agreements into tangible outcomes for communities .

What assessment he has made of the potential impact of Celtic Sea Floating Offshore Wind Leasing Round 5 on employment opportunities in Neath Port Talbot.

Floating Offshore Wind presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Wales and is a major economic opportunity for the Neath Port Talbot area. It will create high-quality jobs to support the local economy. We are in ongoing discussion with relevant parties in relation to the Port Talbot project. Gwynt Glas and Equinor have now entered into Agreements for Lease with The Crown Estate to develop two 1.5GW Floating Offshore Wind farms in the Celtic Sea through the Leasing Round 5 process. Both projects have stated publicly that the Port Talbot is their preferred port for integration and assembly activities.

What plans she has to (a) abolish the Carbon Price Support mechanism and (b) introduce further measures to reduce electricity costs for energy-intensive industries.

The government’s Industrial Strategy published in June 2025 announced that from 2027, a new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme will reduce electricity costs by c.£35-40/MWh and support thousands of businesses. The scheme will benefit manufacturing electricity intensive frontier industries in the Industrial Strategy and foundational manufacturing industries in their supply chains. Eligible businesses will be exempt from paying the costs of the Renewables Obligation, Feed-in Tariffs and the Capacity Market. The scheme will bring GB electricity costs more in line with other major economies in Europe, and level the playing field for GB businesses. The government will also continue support for the Energy-Intensive Industries Compensation Scheme to support energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and technical innovation. The government keeps all taxes under review and will continue to review Carbon Price Support beyond the announced rates as part of the policy making process.