Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Growing Back Better Report

25 February 2021 · 11 other contributors

Opened by Philip Dunne Con Waveney

EconomyClimateEnergy

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Philip Dunne raised concerns about growing back better report in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Philip Dunne thanked the House and relevant committees for an opportunity to speak before the Chancellor's Budget announcement.
  • He highlighted the importance of greener recovery policies to align economic revival post-COVID with UK climate objectives.
  • Dunne mentioned the Prime Minister's 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution and the Chancellor's national infrastructure strategy.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Philip Dunne

Philip Dunne, the Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, thanked the House and relevant committees for granting him an opportunity to make a statement before the Chancellor's Budget announcement. He highlighted the importance of greener recovery policies in reviving the economy post-covid pandemic while aligning with the UK’s climate objectives. He mentioned the Prime Minister's 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution, the Chancellor's national infrastructure strategy, and the upcoming COP26 conference as key initiatives. Dunne expressed concern over delays in implementing the Green Homes Grant programme and called for urgent overhaul and extension of this scheme to avoid jeopardising its credibility. He also recommended changes in VAT rates to encourage energy efficiency improvements and circular economy practices. Additionally, he advised the Chancellor to integrate climate objectives into monetary policy guidance.

Other contributors (11)
  • Barry Gardiner Lab Brent North

    Question

    Does the Chair agree that the Government should bring forward greater investment in energy efficiency programmes and resolve the serious delivery problems around the green homes grant?

    Minister reply

    The Minister did not directly respond to this question but acknowledged the importance of addressing issues with the Green Homes Grant programme, emphasising the need for urgent overhaul and extension to ensure its credibility.

  • Barry Gardiner Lab Brent West

    Question

    I thank the Chair of the Committee not only for the way that he presented the report but for chairing the Committee with such patience, tact and, often, good humour. Covid has caused unprecedented hardship... Does the Chair agree, then, that the Government should bring forward much greater investment in energy efficiency programmes and resolve the serious delivery problems around the green homes grant?

    Minister reply

    I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his comments about our report... We think that this scheme should endure for the whole Parliament, and it should be supported and improved by the Government.

  • Jerome Mayhew Con Broadland and Fakenham

    Question

    The Committee’s report highlights the evidence from the Bank of England that we will need a carbon tax of about $100 per tonne by 2030 for a smooth transition of the economy to net zero... Does my right hon. Friend agree that our presidencies of both the G7 and COP26 are an unmissable opportunity to lead an international approach to carbon border adjustment?

    Minister reply

    My hon. Friend is absolutely right. There is no question but that unilateral introduction of such a scheme has the potential to be more damaging than an international agreement.

  • Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East

    Question

    I congratulate the right hon. Member and his Committee on this report... Does the Committee intend to follow up on its report by raising that with the Secretary of State? Does he see a future role for the Committee in scrutinising the environmental impact of the road expansion policy if the Transport Secretary is unwilling to do so?

    Minister reply

    The Committee will have to wait to see the Government’s response to our report... We will be looking for responses to all our recommendations, including in relation to transport.

  • Joy Morrissey Con Beaconsfield

    Question

    I thank my right hon. Friend for this report, which highlights the importance of maintaining our net zero target while focusing on our economic recovery... What steps does the report highlight to improve the shortcomings found in the green homes grant?

    Minister reply

    This is the specific measure that the Government introduced with a view to achieving their objectives of stimulating the economy, meeting net zero obligations and generating jobs. At present, the scheme is disappointing in every respect.

  • Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath

    Question

    Given the report’s focus on the need to address our ecological crisis without delay... does the right hon. Gentleman agree that we need a strategy to devolve nature and that this is best done by devolving resources and power to local authorities?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Lady is pre-empting our next inquiry into biodiversity and ecosystems... We will have a great deal to say in that report on how nature protection and conservation is focused on at both a national and a local level.

  • Jacob Young Con Not specified

    Question

    As co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group on carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and chair of the APPG on hydrogen... I completely agree, and I would be grateful if he elaborated on what policies he would like to see in the hydrogen strategy.

    Minister reply

    I applaud the ground-breaking work that my hon. Friend is bringing to the House... There have been some encouraging signals in the 10-point green industrial revolution plan.

  • Caroline Lucas Green Not specified

    Question

    I thank the Chair of our Committee and agree with all that he has said. Does he agree that there is real urgency for the carbon intensity of the Bank of England’s corporate bond portfolio to be cut... Does the Committee Chair agree that that is the scale of ambition that we will need if we are to see nature at the centre of a green recovery?

    Minister reply

    I touched on the Bank of England in my remarks... In relation to the green homes grant scheme, I completely agree that it must be turned into a multi-year scheme.

  • Daniel Zeichner Lab Cambridge

    Question

    The Opposition very much welcome this report, with its sense of urgency and calls for action... Does the Committee Chair agree that that is the scale of ambition that we will need if we are to see nature at the centre of a green recovery?

    Minister reply

    I am grateful for the welcome that the hon. Gentleman has just given... It was first recommended in a report that we did as a Committee two or three years ago, so I am glad that all parts of the House are catching up with our Committee.

  • John Redwood Con Wokingham

    Question

    I strongly support the green VAT cuts. Did the Committee examine the future of the petrol and diesel car industry, and especially the future of the diesel engine parts, with all the skilled staff and big assets, if the Government move to an early ban on these new vehicles?

    Minister reply

    I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his question. The Committee is taking an interest in the impact of a transition from the current economy, with its carbon-intensive sectors, to a net zero economy. We are looking at our future programme and some of the impacts of green jobs, which we are in the middle of an inquiry on now, and we will be addressing specifically the point that he makes about the impact on the motor sector. In the future, we are interested in some of the impacts of moving from an internal combustion engine source of transport to electrified transport and what that might do across different transport sectors. We will be working with the Transport Committee to ensure that we do not duplicate efforts, but that we are able to look into those matters.

Shadow Comment

Barry Gardiner

Barry Gardiner acknowledged Philip Dunne's chairmanship of the Environmental Audit Committee and praised him for his patience and tact throughout. He highlighted the unprecedented economic hardship caused by the covid pandemic, including an expected 11% contraction in GDP this year and a loss of 1.5 million jobs from high streets. He emphasised that retrofitting and upgrading UK homes is essential to meet climate targets but also has potential as a significant job creator. Gardiner called on the Government to invest more in energy efficiency programmes and address delivery issues surrounding the Green Homes Grant.

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