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Question
What assessment has been made regarding the impact of banning Russian oil on petrol and diesel prices? Also, what lessons can be learned to ensure better energy security?
Minister reply
The Government acknowledges the need for a careful transition and will work closely with businesses and unions. Regarding energy security, we agree that developing home-grown zero-carbon power is essential but stress the importance of maintaining North Sea oil and gas production.
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Question
The MP echoed support for President Zelensky's leadership during the conflict. He questioned the impact of bans on Russian oil imports, suggesting that although only 4% of UK gas comes from Russia, due to an integrated market, high wholesale prices will affect domestic energy costs. Miliband called for accelerated investment in renewables and nuclear power to reduce dependency on foreign fossil fuels.
Minister reply
Kwarteng acknowledged the questions raised by Miliband and agreed that a greater focus must be placed on renewables and nuclear power while respecting North Sea gas as a transition fuel.
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Question
Jenrick welcomed Kwarteng’s statement, advocating for pragmatic energy policy including accelerated investment in renewables and potential lifting of the onshore wind moratorium.
Minister reply
Kwarteng agreed with Jenrick's points about diversifying away from hostile powers and supporting all possible technologies to enhance resilience.
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Question
Flynn questioned the potential for retaliatory action by Putin, emphasising Scotland’s significant renewable resources. He asked about additional support for renewables and commitment to using North sea oil and gas revenues to insulate households from cost increases.
Minister reply
Kwarteng defended the transition deal in Scotland and affirmed the Government's commitment to price caps while also supporting renewables; he noted lifting of the ban on onshore wind last year.
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Question
Jenkin expressed concern over short-term energy security and price issues, urging for more urgent action than what was outlined.
Minister reply
Kwarteng confirmed the Department’s awareness of urgency but highlighted previous Government failures in nuclear investment; he stated that plans are being developed to address current challenges.
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Question
Jones asked for legislation amendment regarding public procurement rules from Gazprom due to many local authorities, NHS trusts, and other bodies locked into contracts with the Russian company.
Minister reply
Kwarteng clarified that the UK subsidiary of Gazprom is separate from its parent entity but assured readiness to take necessary steps if issues arise.
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Question
When we sanction Russia, we also sanction ourselves. We need to be clear with the British people that this is a sacrifice we are expecting them to make when the Ukrainians are making so much greater sacrifice.
Minister reply
People in this country have an intuitive and heartfelt feeling for the people of Ukraine. People understand they must endure hardships in solidarity with the heroic efforts made by the Ukrainian people, as seen through the generosity shown within constituencies.
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Question
The Government are right to get off Russian oil and gas but wrong to propose replacing it with new domestic production. Our dependence on fossil fuels is what got us into this energy crisis in the first place.
Minister reply
We need investment in the North sea, despite differing views between the hon. Lady and myself. The idea of simply switching off oil and gas is absurd.
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Question
Does he agree that oil will remain a key source of energy for some time to come as we are transitioning?
Minister reply
We had a discussion at the IEA ministerial last week where we agreed to release our stock, an American initiative supported by us. We need international cooperation to ensure sufficient supply and manage price increases.
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Question
I urge the Government to act even faster on breaking this last lifeline to the Putin regime. I am also concerned about calls for a resumption of fracking, which would be a betrayal of our commitments in Glasgow.
Minister reply
I have been committed to increasing renewable power supply and production by reopening the pot one auction for onshore wind and introducing an annual auction for offshore wind.
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Question
Despite energy security's importance, is it absurd that the Scottish Government’s official position continues to be no new licences, no new exploration, and no new drilling in the North sea?
Minister reply
The North sea transition deal is not an extinction deal as Members on the Opposition Benches would pursue. We will continue with a different approach.
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Question
What discussions does he plan to have with the Scottish Government to ensure we can meet our need for oil and gas with maximum economic benefit?
Minister reply
I am happy to talk to colleagues in the Scottish Government about these issues. A taskforce has been announced to manage the process.
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Question
In regard to the UK’s Russian oil ban, I welcome my right hon. Friend’s commitment to keeping all options open but recognise that moving faster on transition puts greater costs on households from technology risk.
Minister reply
Energy efficiency is a big part of this conundrum, and we have had some successes and failures with the green homes grant.
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Question
The Minister has been asked twice now specifically about fracking and has completely avoided answering the question. Would he like to have another go?
Minister reply
We will take a precautionary approach and support shale gas exploration if it can be done in a safe and sustainable way, as stated in 2019.
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Question
I welcome the Government’s fuel duty freeze but feel that we must do more to help hard-pressed motorists. Will he introduce PumpWatch to monitor prices from big oil companies?
Minister reply
No right hon or hon Member has done more for motorists over the last 12 years than my right hon Friend.
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Question
The Prime Minister’s decision not to concrete over wells that are already there is a first step to exploiting shale gas. Does he agree?
Minister reply
Our position on the moratorium has always been the same: if fracking can be done in a safe and sustainable way, we are open to it.
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Question
As we move towards a greener and more secure energy supply, will he commit to increasing capacity coming out of the Celtic sea?
Minister reply
Floating offshore wind is key to accelerating our renewables offer. We will set slightly more ambitious targets for our 2030 ambition.
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Question
Given the Conservatives have been in power for 12 years, why has not the moratorium on onshore wind put by David Cameron been lifted?
Minister reply
The moratorium on the pot one auction was lifted two years ago. In the fourth auction round, there is a separate pot ringfenced for onshore and solar technologies.
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Question
Given current high profits of BP and Shell, will the Government consider a windfall tax?
Minister reply
Issues related to taxation are within the remit of the Chancellor. A windfall tax would scare investment in North sea oil, destroy jobs and wealth creation.
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Question
Will rural fuel duty relief be extended to Wales given the rising prices?
Minister reply
The decision lies outside his power, but he is happy to talk with others in Government to address this issue.
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Question
Are the Government aware of current issues sourcing red and white diesel?
Minister reply
The red diesel phase-out was announced two years ago; he is happy to discuss managing this transition.
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Question
Are the Government analysing businesses’ exposure due to rising fuel costs?
Minister reply
The Department looks at how price volatility affects supply chain and business, particularly energy intensive industries.
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Question
With Russian coal imports, will the Government support domestic coking coal production?
Minister reply
The specific issue of Cumbrian coking mine is under judicial review. The intention is to move away from Russian hydrocarbons.
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Question
What are the Government’s plans for residential solar energy and battery storage?
Minister reply
The pot one auction has restarted, focusing on onshore wind and solar projects which will increase capacity.
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Question
What is his oil taskforce planning regarding securing heating oil availability?
Minister reply
The taskforce looks at sourcing supply at the cheapest rate, reducing reliance on Russia and lessening burden on people.
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Question
Instead of fracking, will he support Welsh marine technologies and renewable projects?
Minister reply
He acknowledges the point made about Swansea bay tidal lagoon; generally, the Government have done a lot for marine renewables.
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Question
Will domestic supply chain resilience include critical minerals like coking coal?
Minister reply
The first Government ever has a critical minerals strategy to be published in the next few weeks, led by Lee Rowley.
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Question
Will he commit to agreeing a minimum floor price with SSE for Coire Glas pumped-storage hydro project?
Minister reply
He is interested in the technology, but needs to look at specific proposals and value for money.
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Question
Is fracking a red herring compared to renewables from North sea?
Minister reply
They can look at various technologies; currently, the focus is on whether shale gas exploration can be done safely and sustainably.
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Question
The Secretary of State mentioned in his statement the need to protect the Ukrainian people from further misery. Considering Ukraine's historical debt problems and the current invasion, can he assure the House that the British Government will be leading international efforts with the IMF, the World Bank and the G7 to offer Ukraine debt relief?
Minister reply
The issues about Ukrainian debt relief are for a much wider set of participants than are reflected in this House. We will do everything we can to support the Ukrainian people, and we are looking at every possible intervention that can in some way lessen the burden of this ferocious assault.
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Question
The Secretary of State for his statement. The sanctions today are an excellent next step, but my constituents have two questions: how can they best support the Government’s actions with direct contributions themselves? Secondly, what is the UK going to do to boost our domestic oil, gas and coking coal supply?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right about critical minerals and security of supply; I have commissioned a critical minerals strategy. On financial and material support from constituents: there are lots of ways we can help. On securing domestic supplies, that is our most important consideration right now.
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Question
Banning Russian oil will come at a cost every day for people across the UK, but what discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Chancellor about financially supporting green, clean and low-cost energy provision?
Minister reply
My right hon. Friend the Chancellor and I speak all the time about these issues. The hon. Member will appreciate that there is a spring statement, but at the beginning of February my right hon. Friend announced an extensive £9 billion of projects. We will be looking across the year at how this market develops.
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Question
I welcome the Secretary of State’s announcement today. He will know that we import quite a lot of aviation fuel from Russia, and his Department has done fantastic work in developing sustainable aviation fuel and its manufacture in the UK. Will he use this as an opportunity to drive that forward at even greater pace?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend raises a really important point. With the prospect of ferocious aggression and violence, one of the things we are thinking about is a more sustainable future. A very thin silver lining on a very dark cloud is the fact that we are talking about resilience and sustainability.
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Question
The pace at which we divest from Putin’s fossil fuels is important for stopping this war. Can the Secretary of State lead an alliance of countries that need to make such urgent diversification to ensure that we apply this pain to Putin’s regime as quickly as possible?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady is absolutely right. We must work internationally across countries and come up with an alliance that can confront Putin in that way. That is why we are having an extraordinary meeting of G7 Energy Ministers tomorrow.
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Question
I welcome my right hon. Friend’s statement about a ban on Russian oil imports. Does he agree that the increasing need for self-reliance on energy sources means that it is right that we invest in renewable energy schemes in this country, including the possibility of a large tidal range facility in north Wales?
Minister reply
I hear the clamour for a tidal range facility in the Vale of Clwyd, and I am sympathetic towards it. My hon. Friend will acknowledge that for the first time ever in the fourth auction round we have a tidal stream auction pot.
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Question
The Secretary of State said that he was 100% behind renewables, but I would like him to offer so much more support for tidal energy schemes, in which Scotland can play such an important role. It is a cleaner, greener and cheaper alternative to nuclear.
Minister reply
I recognise the hon. Lady’s commitment to tidal stream; she will be good enough to notice that this is the first time that any British Government have committed to supporting any marine energy renewable project.