Written questions by Baldwin.

Whether his Department has conducted a regional impact assessment of the Network Charging Compensation Scheme uplift on industrial competitiveness across the devolved nations.

This Government understands the pressures facing our energy intensive industries (EIIs), across the nation, including high electricity prices. Our recent announcement of the uplift of relief offered by the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90% will benefit EIIs across England, Wales and Scotland. However, the Scheme will not apply to EIIs in Northern Ireland. The Government consulted widely on this policy, our proposal to proceed with this uplift was informed by feedback from energy industry stakeholders across the UK.

Whether he plans to publish a list of (a) sectors and (b) companies eligible for the 90% relief under the revised Network Charging Compensation Scheme.

The eligibility criteria of the Network Charging Compensation Scheme has not changed, only the level of relief offered to current eligible firms supported by the British Industry Supercharger. A list of these firms, as at 16 September 2025, is available on the GOV.UK website and will be updated should any more firms receive support. The eligibility criteria are based on the pre-existing Energy Intensive Industries (EII) Exemption scheme. A list of sectors eligible for support can also be found on the GOV.UK website, within the guidance to the EII Exemption Scheme.

What steps he is planning to take to (a) monitor and (b) evaluate the effectiveness of the 90% compensation rate in supporting (i) decarbonisation and (ii) energy efficiency in energy intensive industries.

The Government consulted a wide range of stakeholders from across the energy industry on the proposal to uplift the level of relief offered by the Network Charging Compensation Scheme from 60% to 90%. Industry stakeholders were broadly in favour of this measure as a supportive means during their decarbonisation transition by encouraging electrification through reducing industrial electricity prices. The Government will continue to engage with stakeholders and recipients to assess the effectiveness of this support and to inform potential targeted, proportionate and effective support in future.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that the uplift in compensation for energy intensive industries does not lead to increased costs for other electricity consumers.

The Government will bear down on costs across the energy system to ensure that the uplift of the relief offered by the Network Charging Compensation Scheme does not lead to a net increase in electricity bills for domestic and non-domestic energy consumers. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has published a consultation seeking views on the proposal to amend the inflation indexation of the Renewables Obligation (RO) from the RPI to the CPI. If implemented, this may contribute to that goal.

With reference to the Green Paper consultation on the Future of the Post Office, which ended on 6 October 2025. what progress he has made on holding joint discussions with the Post Office and banks on potentially expanding the range of banking services available at post offices.

I refer the Honourable Member to the answer I gave to Question 83450 on 23 October 2025. As I stated in that response, together with the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, I plan to co-chair a roundtable with the Post Office and key banks which will provide an opportunity to discuss where future potential collaboration, on a commercial and voluntary basis, may be in the interests of both parties. This will take place in due course.

When his Department plans to publish its response to the consultation on the Green Paper: Future of the Post Office, which closed on 6 October 2025.

We received over 2,500 responses to the Government’s Green Paper on the future of the Post Office, from a wide range of individuals, postmasters, businesses and organisations. We are currently analysing all the responses received and will include further details and an exact number in the Government’s response.Government plans to publish a response to the Green Paper consultation in early 2026.

On which dates the Steel Council has met since its formation in January 2025.

Since the relaunch of the Steel Council in January 2025, it has convened on three occasions. The meetings took place on 7 January, 8 April, and 14 July. The next meeting of the Steel Council is scheduled for 4 November 2025. The Steel Council is assisting in the development the upcoming Steel Strategy and brings the expertise of industry, workers and innovative thinkers to the heart of the Department’s policy making.

What procurement process his Department intends to use for selecting a replacement service for the Horizon system.

Post Office Limited (as the contracting entity) is using the competitive flexible process (pursuant to the Procurement Act 2023) in order to select suppliers to take over the current Horizon system and transform it into a replacement solution. The Tender for Lots 1 and 2 is live here: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/050009-2025?origin=Dashboard.

How many responses his Department has received to the his Department's consultation on the Green Paper: Future of the Post Office, which closed on 6 October 2025.

We received over 2,500 responses to the Government’s Green Paper on the future of the Post Office, from a wide range of individuals, postmasters, businesses and organisations. We are currently analysing all the responses received and will include further details and an exact number in the Government’s response.Government plans to publish a response to the Green Paper consultation in early 2026.

When he plans to publish the UK Steel Strategy.

The 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. The strategy will articulate what is needed to create a competitive business environment in the UK with the aim of attracting new private investment to secure and expand UK steelmaking capability and capacity which is aligned with our Net Zero goals.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 13 October 2025 entitled Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, HCWS937, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that postmasters receive the benefit of the doubt in cases where evidence has been (a) lost and (b) destroyed.

The Government recognises the challenges some postmasters face in providing evidence, particularly where significant time has passed or records have been lost or destroyed. The independent panel assessing each case takes these difficulties into account when making its recommendations.As outlined in the joint statement made with the Post Office on 9 October, fairness requires acknowledging the absence of retained evidence, especially where it was wrongly withheld or destroyed. In such cases, and where it is fair to do so based on individual circumstances, postmasters should rightly receive the benefit of the doubt.

With reference to Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, HCWS937, what steps he has taken to (a) assess and (b) compensate for non-financial losses including (i) psychological trauma and (ii) reputational damage.

Redress is available for both financial and non-financial losses. Across the compensation schemes, cases are assessed individually on their facts and in accordance with established legal principles. The losses compensated may include impacts on mental or physical health, as well as reputational damage.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 13 October 2025 entitled Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, HCWS937, whether his Department plans to publish anonymised (a) case studies and (b) data to demonstrate how full and fair redress is being interpreted in practice.

The Department currently has no plans to publish anonymised case studies but may explore this in future. We do, however, publish monthly updates on redress delivery, which provide detailed insights into the number of claims received, offers made, and settlements completed.As highlighted in the statement on full and fair redress, published on the 9 October, fairness is assessed on a case-by-case basis, with a range of factors considered in the round and judged on their own merits. At the same time, the redress schemes aim for broad consistency in awards where claimants have experienced similar harm.

What contingency plans his Department has in place to mitigate disruption to UK-EU steel trade arising from changes to EU safeguard measures.

The Government is engaging with the EU on how their proposed trade measure will be applied to the UK, in a way which honours our Trade and Cooperation Agreement, the Windsor Framework and minimises disruption; we are reserving the right to take any action in response to changes to our trading relationships.We are developing UK steel trade measure proposals, taking into account UK interests in light of the rapidly changing global situation; and we are developing our steel strategy, to be published later this year, to create a more competitive business landscape.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the European Union’s revised steel safeguard measures on UK steel exports.

We are in active dialogue with the European Commission to fully understand the details of their proposal and next steps.The government is also working closely with UK industry to understand potential impacts and solutions, and to assess how best to secure the UK’s supply chains in light of these developments. I held a roundtable with industry, including trade unions, on the 9 October.This government will always put the UK’s national interest first, and is committed to defending our critical steel industry, protecting skilled jobs and supporting economic growth as part of our Plan for Change.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 13 October 2025 entitled Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, HCWS937, what the estimated cost is of funding legal advice for appeals; and how he plans to ensure timely access to that funding.

My Department will start publishing legal costs associated with Horizon Shortfall Scheme Appeals as part of the quarterly legal cost publication on GOV.UK. The next legal costs publication is scheduled for early November. We work closely with legal representatives and encourage claimants to seek funded legal advice. We have processes in place to ensure prompt payment, provided guidance in the published tariff is followed.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 13 October 2025 entitled Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, HCWS937, what steps his Department is taking to help ensure that vulnerable postmasters are aware of the 31 January 2026 deadline.

The Post Office has contacted the vast majority of current and former postmasters who may be eligible for the Horizon Shortfall Scheme (HSS). Following the announcement of the scheme’s closure date, the Post Office will write to postmasters again to ensure they are aware of the 31 January 2026 deadline, in line with the Public Accounts Committee’s recommendation. This step is part of ongoing efforts to ensure vulnerable postmasters are informed and supported throughout the process.

With reference to Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, what mechanisms are in place to monitor whether decision-makers are applying a generous approach within the appropriate range of compensation.

On 9 October, the Department for Business and Trade and the Post Office published a joint statement setting out what constitutes “full and fair” redress, following a recommendation from Sir Wyn Williams. This statement has been embedded in the guidance for each redress scheme to ensure that decision-makers apply a consistent and generous approach within the appropriate range of compensation. Each scheme also has an independent reviewer, who was consulted on the statement and plays a key role in monitoring its application and ensuring that decisions align with the principles of fairness and full redress.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 13 October 2025 entitled Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, HCWS937, what his planned timetable is for concluding discussions with Fujitsu on their financial contribution; and whether he plans to seek binding commitments from that company.

The full extent of Fujitsu’s culpability for the Horizon scandal will only become clear once all volumes of Sir Wyn Williams’ Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report have been published. In the meantime, the Department continues to engage with Fujitsu regarding their potential financial contribution.

With reference to the Written Ministerial Statement of 13 October 2025 entitled Volume 1 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report: Government response to recommendations, HCWS937, whether legal support will be extended to postmasters who accepted fixed sum offers; and how he plans to notify those postmasters.

In line with the Government’s response to Recommendation 9 of the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry report, postmasters who accepted fixed sum offers under the Horizon Shortfall Scheme will be able to seek funded legal advice if they wish to apply for permission to appeal. My Department is working closely with the Horizon Compensation Advisory Board and the Independent Reviewer on the practical implementation of the appeals process, including its scope and criteria. We will engage with legal representatives and postmaster representative organisations on the process before it is launched. My Department will write to all eligible postmasters when the process is launched.