Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Second Report - UK space strategy and UK satellite infrastructure
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
HC 100
Published 4 November 2022
Recommendations
2
Accepted in Part
Para 27
Since the UK’s purchase of OneWeb, the number of shareholders has continued to grow.
Recommendation
Since the UK’s purchase of OneWeb, the number of shareholders has continued to grow. Although the Government has provided assurances that the proposed merger with Eutelsat will not affect the UK’s shares and involvement in OneWeb, uncertainty remains over how …
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Government Response Summary
The government publishes the value of its OneWeb investment in the Department's Annual Report and Accounts, but does not agree that it is necessary to provide a separate yearly report. It highlighted the strategic importance of the investment, and that OneWeb employs over 500 people, with approximately 70% based in the UK.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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3
Accepted in Part
Para 28
We acknowledge that OneWeb could bring additional benefits to the UK if it carried out...
Recommendation
We acknowledge that OneWeb could bring additional benefits to the UK if it carried out satellite manufacturing for its Gen2 constellation in the UK, which would stimulate the UK space sector and create new jobs. However, where the Gen2 constellation …
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Government Response Summary
While not providing a separate yearly report on OneWeb, the government asserts its commitment to the UK space sector through the OneWeb investment and highlights the company's increasing UK employment. It states that the special share enables them to champion British manufacturing opportunities for Gen2, but does not guarantee manufacturing in the UK.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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11
Accepted in Part
Para 76
We understand that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is considering changes to its approach to...
Recommendation
We understand that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is considering changes to its approach to setting liability caps for orbital licences, including changing to a variable liability limit approach, where liability bands are defined and the maximum value is recommended …
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Government Response Summary
The government intends to consult in early 2023 on formal proposals on liability limits and insurance requirements for orbital operations and are aiming for implementation as soon as possible, dependent on the scope of the final methodology and insurance model(s).
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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