HC Deb 13 February 2001 vol 363 cc77-8W
Mr. Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the cost of the climate change levy on each steel factory in England and Wales; if he will list the estimated cost for each of the factories; and if he will make a statement. [150256]

Mr. Alan Johnson

The climate change levy has been designed to safeguard the competitiveness of manufacturing industry as a whole. It recognises the special position of energy intensive industries exposed to international competition, including the steel sector. Sites in these sectors which meet eligibility criteria will, subject to EU state aid clearance, get an 80 per cent. levy discount provided they deliver energy saving targets in negotiated agreements with the Government.

The final impact of the levy on individual steel industry sites will depend on whether they participate in the steel sector's energy saving agreement to get the levy discount; and also on the extent to which they benefit from or take advantage of the various levy exemptions, and also the new scheme of enhanced capital allowances for investments in energy efficiency.