Energy Security

Claire Coutinho Con

Romsey and Southampton North

Criticises the Government's broken promises regarding energy bills, pensioners, and Great British Energy initiative. Highlights negative impacts of the so-called 'energy independence Bill' on UK oil and gas industry, refineries, electricity system, and overall economic security.

Toby Perkins Lab

Chesterfield

Responds to Claire Coutinho's criticism by mentioning that bills came down £500 under the current Secretary of State; they have gone up by £200 because of the previous Government’s plans.

Ed Miliband Lab

Doncaster North

Defends the Gracious Speech, arguing for energy independence through clean home-grown power. Criticises the inconsistency in Claire Coutinho's policy on renewables and highlights that new licences won't solve energy security challenges or reduce bills.

John Hayes Con

South Holland and The Deepings

Mr Hayes highlighted the Secretary of State's recognition of economic uncertainty and national resilience. He questioned the impact of solar plants on productive farmland necessary for food security, suggesting a compromise approach.

Jim Shannon DUP

Strangford

Mr Shannon expressed his desire to see nuclear power in Northern Ireland and welcomed the Secretary of State's commitment to tidal power, battery storage, and green hydrogen. He sought assurance that Northern Ireland would be part of the UK’s plan for moving forward with green energy.

Toby Perkins Lab

Chesterfield

Mr Perkins pointed out that Conservative Members propose eliminating the energy profits levy and VAT on oil or gas, which could cost £12 billion and £5-6 billion respectively. He questioned whether there was any credibility in these plans to reduce people’s energy prices.

Seamus Logan

Mr Logan requested several times to give way but his full contribution is not provided in the given text.

Pippa Heylings Lib Dem

South Cambridgeshire

The Liberal Democrats welcome the Government's Bill on energy independence, aiming to bring down energy bills and ensure security through a transition to clean energy. They call for community-led approaches to renewable energy, including local sale and purchase of energy and mandated community benefits from hosting renewable infrastructure. The speaker supports solar panel installations on new homes, schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings to reduce reliance on volatile international fossil fuel markets. She also proposes an energy security bank providing zero-interest or low-interest loans for property upgrades. To address the broken energy market, she advocates for decoupling gas and electricity prices and reforming policy levies. The speaker criticises over-reliance on oil and gas, proposing a just transition commission to support workers in transitioning to high-quality jobs in renewable sectors. She also highlights the need for nature-based approaches to climate adaptation.

Bill Esterson Lab

Sefton Central

Mr. Esterson argues that the Government must address the current fossil fuel crisis by reducing electricity costs to transition away from oil and gas dependence. He highlights economic arguments in favour of transitioning to renewable energy, citing predictions from the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Climate Change Committee regarding GDP impacts. He also discusses the decline in North Sea oil production and its impact on UK energy security. Esterson supports government measures that encourage a shift towards renewables while acknowledging the importance of maintaining supply chains for nuclear development. He emphasises the need to optimise the grid, reduce reliance on gas imports, and promote electrification through initiatives such as the warm homes plan.

Edward Leigh Con

Gainsborough

He welcomed the nuclear fusion site commitment but raised concerns over solar farms on agricultural land. He suggested that nationalising British Steel was not a solution to higher energy costs and advocated for private sector solutions. Edward also pointed out the unsustainable nature of current pension systems, suggesting a modified triple lock system based on average indices rather than maximum increases.

Bill Esterson Lab

Sefton Central

Responding to Edward Leigh, Bill Esterson acknowledged the points made about solar panels and referred to evidence from the Country Land and Business Association suggesting that these installations are often beneficial to farmers as an alternative revenue stream without impacting crop growth.

Martin Vickers Con

Cleethorpes

Vickers agreed with Leigh's comments on British Steel, stating that while nationalisation may be a short-term solution, the longer term requires private sector investment to lower energy costs for industries like steel.

Toby Perkins Lab

Chesterfield

Welcomes the Government's legislative programme focusing on national security, economic security, and energy security. Acknowledges positive changes but calls for faster progress. Supports measures like the energy independence Bill and nuclear regulation Bill to strengthen resilience against energy price shocks and reduce costs for families.

Roger Gale Con

North Thanet

Highlights the need for increased electricity production in the era of electric cars and artificial intelligence, advocating for faster adoption of small nuclear reactors. Criticises the government's reliance on foreign fuel sources from the North Sea when domestic resources are available. Calls for alternative methods to underground cables instead of building overhead pylons that harm the environment.

Anneliese Dodds Lab

Oxford East

Welcomed measures on energy security but criticised the Government for not addressing AI regulation as per their manifesto. Highlighted the need for regulatory coordination with EU partners and discussed fiscal frameworks for AI, including potential job losses and public intervention.

John Hayes Con

South Holland and The Deepings

Critiqued governance issues, emphasised the need for greater national economic resilience through manufacturing more of what we consume, reducing import reliance, and improving productivity. Called for a rebalancing of power in the food chain and increased investment in skills such as apprenticeships.

Jeff Smith Lab

Manchester, Withington

Agrees on the need to improve investment in productivity and skills. Commends the King's Speech for measures like the energy independence Bill and northern powerhouse Bill. Supports Northern Powerhouse Rail and calls for an underground through station at Manchester Piccadilly. Welcomes the overnight visitor levy Bill, stating it has not negatively impacted tourism in Manchester. Highlights the importance of commonhold and leasehold reform and social housing Bill to address housing issues. Urges quick action on the ticket touting Bill. Supports GOV.UK One Login for digital access to services.

Tim Farron Lib Dem

Westmorland and Lonsdale

Rejects the notion that Britain is broken, highlighting the need to strengthen alliances with NATO and reconnect with Europe. Discusses energy security in light of recent oil price rises and the importance of renewable energy sources. Supports food security measures and calls for more incentives for domestic farming to ensure food security. Emphasises the vulnerability of UK’s current food system due to inflationary pressures and the need for a national food strategy.

Sarah Dyke Lib Dem

Glastonbury and Somerton

Intervenes to agree with Tim Farron on the importance of energy security for food security. Highlights that food prices are putting pressure on family budgets and criticises the missed opportunity of not backing British farmers in the Queen's Speech.

Emma Foody Lab

Cramlington and Killingworth

Welcomes the measures in the Gracious Speech, particularly those related to energy independence and renewable energy. Highlights the economic benefits for her region, such as job creation and local investment through the West Hartford business park and Moor Farm roundabout upgrades. Emphasises community empowerment and the importance of delivering on promises made in previous King’s Speeches.

Bob Blackman Con

Harrow East

Supports the cross-party agreement on nuclear power and welcomes solar energy initiatives but criticises the Government for not exploiting North Sea resources further. Discusses issues such as antisemitism, hate marches near synagogues in London, and the need to take action against terrorism by proscribing organisations like the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Richard Foord Lib Dem

North Dorset

Called for electoral reform with a new Representation of the People Bill, advocating votes for 16 and 17-year-olds. Criticised first past the post system as it leads to disproportionate results, undermining faith in democracy. Suggested proportional representation would better reflect voters' choices.

Mike Martin

Interjected to suggest that the main issue with first past the post is people voting against rather than for candidates, which poisons democracy by ensuring everyone ends up with someone they do not want.

Nadia Whittome Lab

Nottingham East

Agrees with the hon. Member for Honiton and Sidmouth on first past the post and proportional representation, highlighting Labour's failure to deliver change at the pace and scale expected by voters. Criticises Government policies such as limiting jury trials and cutting benefits for disabled people. Proposes rent controls and nationalising utilities to address economic imbalances and poverty.

Tom Collins Lab

Nottingham North

Agrees with Nadia Whittome that Labour needs to be more ambitious, focusing on transformative measures in the King's Speech bills to deliver meaningful change.

Danny Kruger Con

Hull West and Hessle

Critiques the underwhelming nature of the King’s Speech, highlighting issues with energy security, defence investment, and high-tech sector growth. Emphasises the need for bold ambition in exploiting UK's natural resources and attracting tech entrepreneurs.

Alex Sobel Lab

Leeds North West

Welcomes the energy independence Bill and emphasises its importance for national security. Supports Jo Cox's agenda of progressive internationalism, praising the European partnership Bill and the youth mobility scheme. Highlights the northern powerhouse rail Bill and advocates for mutual ownership of water infrastructure to ensure true water resilience and public control over water systems. Emphasises the need to recognise nature as essential infrastructure.

Joe Robertson

Critiques the Energy Secretary's record on reducing energy bills, criticising GB Energy’s lack of immediate impact and high costs. Argues that security and price stability should be prioritised over ideological decarbonisation experiments. Provides an example of how green taxes are harming ferry companies serving the Isle of Wight, leading to increased costs for constituents. Calls for practical steps like grid capacity investment in ports rather than penalising companies unable to decarbonise immediately.

Harriet Cross

Cross clarifies that Tony Vaughan is discussing electricity rather than overall energy use, noting that electricity constitutes only about 20% of the UK's energy mix compared to oil and gas which make up 75%. She suggests this distinction as an important clarification in the debate.

Roger Gale Con

North Thanet

Gale points out that no Member, including himself, has mentioned hydrogen during the debate. He considers hydrogen to be one of the best clean future energy sources available.

Anna Sabine Con

Frome and East Somerset

Outlined concerns over reduced capacity at Frome community hospital, highlighting the impact on elderly patients and carers due to rising fuel costs. Emphasised the importance of public consultation in decision-making processes related to health services.

Andrew Lewin Lab

Welwyn Hatfield

Discussed the need for transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy, citing global temperature records and the impact of recent conflicts on fuel prices. Highlighted initiatives by his government towards renewable energy and urged for further innovation and collaboration with private sectors.

Harriet Cross Con

North West Hampshire

Cross stated the UK's heavy reliance on oil and gas for daily energy needs, with it constituting three-quarters of supply. She criticised the Labour Government's approach to oil and gas as making Britain more dependent on Norway and Qatar. She warned that sacrificing jobs in the oil and gas sector would harm communities and weaken energy security.

Alison Hume Lab

Scarborough and Whitby

Hume welcomed the proposed ban on fracking in the new energy security Bill, highlighting the need to close legal loopholes that allow companies like Europa Oil & Gas to exploit techniques such as proppant squeeze under the existing moratorium. She urged the Government to introduce a comprehensive ban on all forms of fracking.

Ann Davies PC

Caerfyrddin

Davies discussed Wales's vulnerability to energy shocks, citing the £5.65 billion economic impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and recent increases in fuel costs for rural households. She emphasised the need for fairer energy systems that benefit local communities through control over natural resources.

Jonathan Davies Lab

Montgomeryshire

Praised progress in the NHS, cost of living issues and the economy. Emphasised the need for government recognition of UNESCO world heritage sites, measures to support education, economy and environment, reduction of VAT on hospitality, further business rates reform, community energy schemes, small modular reactors, and climate change action. Raised concerns about Denby Pottery's energy challenges and called for measures to assist ceramics producers.

Katie Lam Con

Garston and Halewood

Critiqued the government's plans to ban new North Sea oil and gas exploration, arguing it would increase reliance on imported energy and raise domestic costs. Advocated for increased domestic production of natural gas to reduce heating bills and mitigate global supply shocks. Highlighted negative impacts on businesses and families due to high energy prices.

Jessica Toale Con

Bournemouth West

Visited St Joseph’s Catholic primary school in Poole to see the roll-out of solar panels under GB Energy. This initiative not only serves as a valuable learning tool but also helps schools save money, enabling them to plough resources back into teaching. The frustration of residents about unaffordable energy costs is real, and while I am proud of measures like bringing down bills by £150, the energy price cap, action on heating oil, a warm homes plan, record investment in clean power, and the energy independence Bill, these steps must be taken with inclusivity to benefit areas that have been overlooked for too long.

Nusrat Ghani Con

Wealden

The Government’s King’s Speech has little to say about families facing pressures from energy costs. In Northern Ireland, where 60% of households rely on home heating oil and many live in rural communities with no easy switch or alternative, practical measures are needed such as cutting fuel duty, reducing VAT burdens on hard-pressed householders, greater support for those dependent on home heating oil, and stronger protections for consumers exposed to volatility in the heating oil market. The focus should be on energy security through producing the energy we need ourselves, supporting domestic production, backing strategic industries, and ensuring that we are using our own resources wherever possible.

Carla Lockhart

The King’s Speech lacks understanding of people's needs as it fails to address issues like illegal immigration, the cost of living pressures, overstretched public services, heating oil costs, and fuel affordability. The Government should focus on practical interventions such as cutting fuel duty, reducing VAT burdens, providing support for those dependent on home heating oil, and ensuring stronger protections for consumers exposed to volatility in the heating oil market. There is a need for realism, recognising that energy security begins with producing the energy we need ourselves rather than depending on imported energy while restricting domestic production.

Julia Buckley Lab

Shrewsbury and Atcham

Welcomes the new legislative programme and emphasises the need for better planning, coordination and investment in core services. Criticises the privatisation of water companies and calls for holistic oversight of infrastructure upgrades and stronger regulatory measures to combat pollution.

Polly Billington Con

East Thanet

Highlights that 15% of East Thanet residents are in fuel poverty, higher than the national average. Supports the Government's focus on energy independence but calls for international agreements to establish greater resilience against volatile fossil fuel markets.

Brian Leishman Lab

Glasgow North

Discusses the closure of Grangemouth oil refinery and argues that private capital exploits local areas without reinvesting in communities. Supports public ownership and investment in new green, clean industries to benefit workers and local economies.

Elsie Blundell Lab

Heywood and Middleton

Welcomes the King’s Speech and supports provisions for energy security and independence. Emphasises the need for reindustrialisation to address inequalities caused by deindustrialisation, and highlights local transport initiatives like light rail networks.

Torcuil Crichton Lab

Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Discussed the concerns of communities in the Isle of Lewis regarding energy transition, noting the importance of community-owned energy and the need for skilled workers to be involved. He highlighted that 2.5 billion barrels could be developed using subsea tiebacks.

Jennifer Craft Lab

Tilbury

Supported the transition to renewable energy, citing examples from her constituency including a solar panel installation at a secondary school and the Green Energy Centre at South Essex College. She also criticised the Reform party for ideological reasons and mentioned concerns about foreign influence in democracy.

Lloyd Hatton Lab

South Dorset

Spoke on the clean water Bill, emphasising its importance for protecting coastlines from sewage spills and advocating for a public benefit duty to ensure water companies operate for public good rather than profit.

Connor Naismith Lab

Crewe and Nantwich

The King’s Speech programme aims to restore security, stability, and control over essential services. It includes the Energy Independence Bill and Electricity Generator Levy Bill to reduce gas price impacts on electricity bills and invest in clean energy. The speech also calls for restoring water supplies under public control and supporting local businesses through measures like VAT cuts for hospitality sectors. Despite some shortcomings, it provides a framework that benefits constituents.

Catherine Fookes Lab

Monmouthshire

The King's Speech supports economic, national, and energy security by addressing global oil and gas market dependence through significant investment in home-grown clean power. It includes the Clean Water Bill to address river pollution issues. While opposing Tory plans to scrap the Climate Change Act, Labour commits to harnessing clean, domestically produced energy, ensuring environmental protection and financial stability for future generations.

Sureena Brackenridge Lab

Wolverhampton North East

The King’s Speech focuses on reasserting control over energy security through the Energy Independence Bill. It aims to tackle rising household bills, strengthen protections for vulnerable households, and promote clean power and grid infrastructure investment. Wolverhampton is positioning itself as a leader in green innovation with investments in advanced manufacturing, research, and technical education. The emphasis is also on promoting British-made steel for future energy networks.

Jim Dickson Lab

Dartford

The King’s Speech includes several Bills that will aid economic growth and energy security such as the Energy Independence Bill, Electricity Generator Levy Bill, and Highways Financing Bill. The latter allows for private capital funding of large-scale road schemes including Dartford's new Lower Thames Crossing to alleviate traffic issues and boost local business success. Additional measures like the Structures Fund aim at repairing infrastructure like Galley Hill Road in his constituency.

Linsey Farnsworth Con

Amber Valley

Welcomes the package of Bills in the King’s Speech focusing on accelerating the transition to renewables. Discusses grid infrastructure constraints affecting energy-intensive industries like Denby Pottery, which had been forced to switch off its solar panels at weekends due to a lack of grid capacity. Urges for support and expansion of grid infrastructure to increase local job creation and community benefit funds in affected areas.

Lauren Sullivan Con

Gravesham

Welcomes the Government’s commitment to driving innovation in the energy sector, specifically highlighting the Northfleet Green Hydrogen Project as part of the UK's hydrogen allocation round. The project aims to decarbonise paper manufacturing processes and unlock private investment while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing energy security. Emphasises the importance of ensuring grid connections for such projects and discusses concerns over increased road congestion due to the lower Thames crossing, advocating for sustainable transport solutions like hydrogen or electric ferries.

Nusrat Ghani Con

Wealden

Announces that the remaining three speakers can have five minutes each if they do not take interventions. This is an administrative announcement rather than a contribution to the debate on energy policy.

Elaine Stewart SNP

Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock

The Government have committed to an energy independence Bill designed to scale up home-grown renewable energy. Communities like Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock need real benefits from the transition such as lower bills, good jobs, and investment in local services; otherwise support for climate change could erode. Community ownership should be a core feature of the transition giving local people a stake in the energy produced on their doorstep. Scotland risks standing apart from what the King’s Speech called 'a new era of British nuclear energy' by ruling out nuclear development entirely, losing long-term skilled jobs and major inward investment.

Sean Woodcock Con

North Dorset

The Government's policy on energy is ideological, prioritising security and making people better off. Southill solar farm in Charlbury generates enough clean energy to power around 1,500 homes. Community-led solutions like Hook Norton Low Carbon are necessary for a cleaner energy system. Modernising grid infrastructure and streamlining planning can unlock locally generated renewable power. The nuclear regulation Bill aims to make the process more efficient without compromising safety. Helping people insulate their homes properly is an effective way to cut bills, supporting local economies.

Josh Newbury Con

Cannock Chase

The Government's focus on energy security should not narrow our view of clean energy; zero carbon renewable gas should also be a critical part. Concerns about the roll-out and cost reduction of heat pumps have not matched optimistic estimates, making them unaffordable for most constituents. The warm homes agency needs to ensure its immediate mission is to bring bills down rather than just pushing electrification. Biomethane and hydrogen production can support farmers, handle organic waste better, secure reliable income streams, reduce emissions in hard-to-electrify sectors, and create carbon-negative gas through the usage of carbon capture and storage.

Andrew Bowie Con

West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine

The Government's proposed legislation is an energy dependence Bill, making Britain more reliant on foreign imports, especially China. The MP argues that the North sea has a significant role to play in future energy production, with 85% of homes relying on gas and 90% of vehicles using fossil fuels. He criticises the Labour policy for exporting emissions and jobs while accelerating industrial decline across various sectors. The Conservative's 'Get Britain Drilling' Bill would end the ban on new licences and support domestic drilling to cut energy bills, boost job creation and investment.

Dave Doogan

During an intervention, Dave Doogan challenges Andrew Bowie's claim to champion oil and gas workers, pointing out that under previous Conservative government, oil and gas jobs in north-east Scotland fell by 100,000 over the last decade.

Edward Leigh Con

Gainsborough

Edward Leigh argues that the Secretary of State's moral crusade against oil and gas is misguided as it leads to exporting emissions rather than addressing them domestically.

Harriet Cross

Harriet Cross questions why Labour thinks there is a need to ban new licences if they claim nothing remains in the North sea, suggesting that such a ban hinders exploration and discovery.

Michael Shanks Con

Brae Valley

Closing the debate on the Gracious Speech, Michael Shanks emphasised the need for energy security and transition to clean power. He praised contributions from MPs but criticised Labour's inconsistent approach to policy and their amendment calling for more fossil fuels as a solution. Shanks highlighted the Government’s achievements in renewable energy auctions, nuclear programmes, and economic opportunities created by transitioning to green energy. He also addressed concerns about jobs in the North Sea and fuel poverty with proposed measures like minimum energy efficiency standards for renters and a new warm homes agency.

Dave Doogan Lab

Glasgow North East

Asked Shanks why Scotland, despite having significant oil and gas reserves, has the highest electricity bills in the UK. He challenged the Minister to address this issue for Scottish constituents.

Graham Stuart Con

Beverley and Holderness

Requested a meeting with Michael Shanks to discuss plans to maintain critical gas storage infrastructure, particularly the Atwick site in his constituency which is nearing its end of life at 47 years old.

Kirsty Blackman SNP

Aberdeen North

Called for a commitment from Michael Shanks to shift from the Energy Profits Levy to an oil and gas price mechanism in order to protect jobs in her constituency of Aberdeen North, which is experiencing significant job losses.

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