Written questions by Champion.

When he plans to make a decision on funding for the Tropical Forests Forever Facility.

The Government has not ruled out a future investment. We will continue to work together to explore options.

Whether his Department has put processes in place to prioritise UK produced steel in procurement for small modular nuclear reactor projects.

Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as its preferred bidder to partner with to develop the SMR project, subject to final government approvals. GBE-N’s ambition is to ensure that 70% of supply chain products are British built across the SMR fleet, creating thousands more jobs across the supply chain. The government will continue to engage with industry to address barriers to entry in the nuclear sector so that UK companies are well placed to take advantage of the opportunities created.

Whether he has made an assessment of steel supply chain exposure to Uyghur forced labour in the production of wind turbines.

The Government is committed to tackling the issue of forced labour in supply chains and is taking robust action. Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 places a requirement on businesses with a turnover of £36m or more to publish an annual modern slavery statement, setting out the steps they have taken to prevent modern slavery in their operations and supply chain.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of (a) importing wind turbine components from China and (b) the ability of the UK to produce wind turbine components from domestically made steel on national security.

The protection and security of the energy sector is a priority of this Government. We have a range of effective measures in place which give the Government powers to balance an open investment environment to facilitate growth with protecting the parts of our economy that are the most sensitive to national security. The UK steel industry has a long-term future under this Government. This month we launched the Plan for Steel Consultation, to look at the long-term issues facing the industry. This includes assessing how domestic steel producers could fulfil more UK demand for steel in downstream industries. Britain is open for business, and this Government has committed up to £2.5 billion to the future of steel to protect our industrial heartlands, maintain jobs, and drive growth as part of our Plan for Change.

Pursuant to the Answer of 3 December 2024 to Question 16151 on Energy: Supply Chains, whether his Department is taking steps to include (a) trade unions and (b) civil society in the solar taskforce.

The Solar Taskforce is working towards the publication of the Solar Roadmap in Spring 2025. This will outline the actions required to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative, and free from forced labour.Solar Energy UK, the solar industry trade association that co-chairs the Taskforce, is leading the industry response on this matter by developing and launching the Solar Stewardship Initiative, in partnership with Solar Power Europe.As part of this work, members of the Taskforce are engaging with relevant civil society groups and trade unions.

With refence to the oral contribution of 6 November 2024 by the Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security, Official Report column 70WH, how the solar stewardship initiative will support the delivery of the solar roadmap.

The Solar Roadmap will set out the Government’s solar deployment ambitions as part of its mission to achieve Clean Power by 2030. It will outline the actions required to develop resilient, sustainable, innovative, and free from forced labour supply chains. The UK’s main solar industry trade association – Solar Energy UK, who co-chair the Solar Taskforce - is leading the industry’s response on this matter by developing and launching the Solar Stewardship Initiative (SSI), in partnership with Solar Power Europe. Members of the SSI have committed to applying its traceability standards and audits, while encouraging its adoption throughout their supply chain.

What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on potential steps to ensure UK energy supply chains are free from Uyghur forced labour.

The Government opposes all forms of forced labour, including the use of Uyghur forced labour, and is determined to ensure that all UK business do everything in their power to remove any instances of it from their supply chains. Through the reconvened Solar Taskforce, the Government is working widely across Whitehall and closely with industry stakeholders to take forward the actions needed to develop supply chains that are resilient, sustainable, innovative, and free from forced labour. These actions will be set out in the Solar Roadmap, which is expected to be published in Spring 2025.