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Clean Energy Superpower Mission
18 July 2024
Lead MP
Ed Miliband
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
UkraineEconomyClimate
Other Contributors: 52
At a Glance
Ed Miliband raised concerns about clean energy superpower mission in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Since being elected, the Government have lifted the onshore wind ban in England, consented more than 1.3 GW of solar projects and established a national wealth fund to create clean energy jobs. The urgency stems from challenges such as energy insecurity due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, economic issues for working people, and climate change. The Climate Change Committee supports homegrown renewable energy for reducing vulnerability to global fossil fuel markets and accelerating towards net zero by 2030. Despite past achievements under the previous Government, the report criticises recent reversals and delays on key policies which have put the country off track for its 2030 international target. The minister confirms lifting the onshore wind ban, setting up an onshore wind taskforce, promoting rooftop solar through a solar road map, and planning to publish a land use framework alongside a spatial energy plan. Offshore wind will remain crucial with AR6 budget updates in August. A new publicly owned UK-wide energy generation company, GB Energy, is planned for the Great British Energy Bill, focusing on clean technologies and community energy expansion.
Claire Coutinho
Con
East Surrey
Question
The shadow inquires about the criteria for approving solar farms and challenges whether certain approvals made sense given the location's agricultural land value. She asks when the work on rooftop solar will be published.
Minister reply
The minister responds to concerns over solar farm approvals, noting that one decision overturned an expert examining authority’s finding against a project. He acknowledges questions regarding land use and promises to publish the solar road map soon with greater ambition.
Chris Skidmore
Con
Kemptown
Question
Chris Skidmore asks about onshore wind taskforce recommendations and their implementation.
Minister reply
The minister confirms the previous government’s recommendation was implemented by lifting the onshore wind ban within 72 hours of taking office, setting up a taskforce to rebuild the pipeline of projects.
Chris Loder
Con
West Worcestershire
Question
Chris Loder inquires about the government's response to the Climate Change Committee’s report and its recommendations for onshore wind.
Minister reply
The minister responds that he has asked his department to provide an analysis of the committee's findings, confirming that onshore wind is crucial for delivering clean power by 2030.
Jonathan Gullis
Con
Hillingdon
Question
Jonathan Gullis asks about GB Energy’s role in offshore wind and whether it will crowd out private investment.
Minister reply
The minister emphasises that public ownership is part of a modern industrial strategy, generating returns for taxpayers without crowding out private investment.
Steve McCabe
Lab
Birmingham Selly Oak
Question
Steve McCabe inquires about the GB Energy company's impact on employment and its role in overseeing community energy.
Minister reply
The minister states that GB Energy will invest in home-grown clean energy, create jobs with strong trade unions, ensure a just transition for oil and gas workers, and oversee community energy expansion.
Nus Ghani
Con
Weaver Vale
Question
Nus Ghani asks about the criteria for approving solar farms and their impact on food security.
Minister reply
The minister responds that land use must balance clean energy, nature preservation, and food security; he assures communities will continue to have a say in proposals.
Claire Coutinho
Lab
East Surrey
Question
The shadow expressed disappointment over the late arrival of the statement, congratulated the Minister on his return to government and highlighted concerns about energy security, job losses in oil and gas sector, reliance on China for critical minerals, and higher costs under the Secretary of State’s approach. She questioned the viability and impact of proposed plans on future investments, jobs, and national security.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by congratulating Claire Coutinho on her engagement and acknowledged the familiar lines repeated due to recent electoral results. He emphasised the need for embracing all forms of technology at disposal for climate action and energy security while addressing public consent and community benefits.
Bill Esterson
Lab
Sefton Central
Question
The MP welcomed the Secretary of State back to his position, acknowledged the importance of renewables in achieving affordable energy, and highlighted the role of offshore wind, solar power, hydrogen, carbon capture, nuclear energy, and tidal energy in the Liverpool city region. He sought confirmation on integrating tidal energy into regional plans.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed the embrace of all forms of technology for climate action and welcomed Bill Esterson’s advocacy for clean energy generation.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
Welcoming the new Secretary of State, Wera Hobhouse acknowledged the need for affordable energy through renewables but highlighted challenges in securing public consent and upgrading grid infrastructure. She asked about incentives for rooftop solar panels and expressed willingness to work constructively with the Government.
Minister reply
The Minister welcomed Wera Hobhouse's questions and emphasised the importance of community benefit, consultation, and support from Liberal Democrats in ensuring successful implementation of clean energy projects.
Clive Betts
Lab
Sheffield South East
Question
Welcoming his right hon. Friend back to position, Clive Betts referenced ITM Power visit and asked about the chosen two technologies for small modular reactors (SMRs), seeking assurance that a high percentage of SMRs will be built in this country by UK firms like Sheffield Forgemasters.
Minister reply
The Minister reaffirmed support for the Small Modular Reactor programme, acknowledging visits to impressive companies such as ITM Power and supporting new nuclear projects including SMR.
Harriett Baldwin
Con
West Worcestershire
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State to his role but points out that in West Worcestershire, fewer people voted Labour than before. Questions about parameters for building pylons and wind farms across the beautiful landscapes.
Minister reply
Thanks for her question; notes clear consultation requirements in legislation. Points out previous Government's ban on onshore wind and its negative impacts. Believes infrastructure must be built with community consent, benefit, and planning rules.
Martin McCluskey
Lab
Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West
Question
Congratulates the Secretary of State on his new position and mentions the potential for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire in clean energy. Asks about plans to ensure every part of the country can contribute, including Scotland.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the port's potential; highlights importance of ports for offshore wind generation. Confirms investment in ports since privatisation will involve all parts of the UK.
Kieran Mullan
Con
Bexhill and Battle
Question
Asks about commitment to meeting with the REA and discussing deep geothermal's role in climate change transition.
Minister reply
Congratulates on work done; confirms meetings will be held regarding deep geothermal technology and potential for lithium mining.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Question
Discusses plans by Cornish ports to reconfigure for floating offshore wind, highlighting the need for Government support in education and training.
Minister reply
Confirms that Great British Energy will have an interest in advancing floating wind technology; mentions importance of manufacturing such technologies in the UK.
Llinos Medi
PC
Ynys Môn
Question
Asks about Government's plans regarding new nuclear power and specific projects like Wylfa and Trawsfynydd.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of nuclear power, including SMRs; confirms interest in Wylfa site.
Rachael Maskell
Lab Co-op
York Central
Question
Welcomes Secretary of State to his place and highlights a project that aims to create green-collar jobs and upskill workers.
Minister reply
Agrees to look closely at the project, highlighting its potential for creating good jobs while tackling climate crisis.
Andrew Murrison
Con
South West Wiltshire
Question
Asks about assessment of a proposal to build an interconnector between Morocco and the UK.
Minister reply
Acknowledges interest in the project; confirms that it is something his Department will consider.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
Question
Praises the Secretary of State's ambition for clean energy and asks about tackling air pollution.
Minister reply
Agrees; mentions that moving away from fossil fuels is important to address air pollution, which kills people prematurely.
Kit Malthouse
Con
North West Hampshire
Question
Asks whether the Secretary of State has accepted any donations during election campaigns and inquires about protecting landscapes when making planning decisions.
Minister reply
Acknowledges support from trade unions; confirms that while local concerns are taken seriously, changes to the planning process will be necessary for clean energy infrastructure.
Brian Leishman
Lab
Alloa and Grangemouth
Question
I thank the Secretary of State for the constructive manner in which he and the Government have approached the vital issue of the Grangemouth refinery, which is crucial to life in my constituency. Can he confirm that the UK Government will be tenacious and resolute in seeking an industrial future for the Grangemouth site? Will he agree to meet me to discuss potential options for its future?
Minister reply
I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for being such an eloquent advocate for Grangemouth so early in his time as a Member of Parliament. His counsel, advice and work on this subject have been very important. I have had three conversations with my counterpart in the Scottish Government over the last two weeks, which is a sign of how we intend to continue. We will work across parties and across Government to do all we can. The future of Grangemouth really matters to this Government, and we will leave no stone unturned in working with the unions, the companies and the Scottish Government to do everything we can to secure a viable future for activity on the site and for the communities of Grangemouth.
Pete Wishart
SNP
Perth and Kinross-shire
Question
After the King’s Speech and this statement, we still do not have a clue about what GB Energy will look like. The Government cannot even tell us where it will be placed, other than within the 30,000 square miles of Scotland. Greg Jackson, the boss of Octopus Energy, has said that if we reformed this absurd energy market through some form of regional pricing structure, everybody in the UK would have cheaper bills and Scotland would have the cheapest energy in Europe. Will the Secretary of State look at that and ensure that he delivers that prospect for everyone in these isles?
Minister reply
I am slightly disappointed but not surprised by the hon. Gentleman’s tone. I would have thought that the Scottish National party would welcome a publicly owned energy generation company located in Scotland—my counterpart in the Scottish Government certainly welcomed it. Let us be absolutely clear that it will be a generator of energy. That is what companies such as Ørsted and Statkraft do. They own power in this country, and we will do the same. These are complex questions, and we definitely need fairness across the United Kingdom when it comes to energy prices. That is what this Government endeavour to deliver.
Nadia Whittome
Lab
Nottingham East
Question
I congratulate my right hon. Friend on his appointment and welcome him back to government.
My constituents, and indeed all our constituents, have suffered the worst cost of living crisis in generations, thanks to the Conservative party being in thrall to fossil fuel interests and failing to invest in renewables. Does the Secretary of State agree that we need a publicly owned domestic energy champion that can speed up our transition to green energy, reduce our reliance on volatile international gas markets and cut household bills at the same time?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend has been an incredibly eloquent advocate on these issues, including in the last Parliament. This is an important point for all parties in the House to reckon with. The energy insecurity case for action on clean energy is totally transformed from when I was Energy Secretary 15 years ago. Why? Partly because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reminds us of what exposure can look like, but it is also because we have seen a 90% fall in the cost of solar and a 70% fall in the cost of offshore wind over the last decade. The old argument that this energy will save us money in the long term but might cost more in the short term has changed. This is the cheapest, cleanest form of energy we can access.
Nick Timothy
Con
West Suffolk
Question
There were 1,360 submissions from interested parties against the Sunnica application in West Suffolk, and the technical report recommending against the application is 339 pages long. Has the Secretary of State visited the Sunnica site? How many hours did it take him to read all the submissions and evidence to make his own detailed technical and legal judgment to overrule them.
Minister reply
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a super-nerd. I take all of my responsibilities, particularly my quasi-judicial responsibilities, incredibly seriously, and I did in all the judgments I made.
Hitchin
Question
My hon. Friends will find it nice referring to my right hon. Friend as the Secretary of State, and I thank him for his statement. His actions over the last few weeks underline the damaging inaction of the past 14 years. The CCC report out today confirms the true extent of the Tories’ climate denialism and the way in which it has undermined our ability to deliver on so many important aspects of this agenda.
Does the Secretary of State agree that no less damaging than climate denialism is the climate delivery denialism to which Members in certain parts of this House are now starting to fall back? Can he confirm that this Government will not shy away from some of the tough choices that will have to be made to deliver not only the climate agenda that voters have supported but the energy security we desperately need?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for his important question. He draws attention to a fact in the Climate Change Committee report that is worth underlining: we have an internationally set, nationally determined contribution of 68% reductions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. However, the Climate Change Committee said this morning that only a third of the emissions reductions required are covered by credible plans—that is the legacy we have been left. I am determined that we meet those targets, which is why we have to speed up and act in a way that the last Government did not.
My hon. Friend is right about clean energy. As I said earlier, this is a debate that this country will have to have. We can say no to clean energy and to building grids, but that will leave us poorer and more exposed, and mean that we are not doing what is required to tackle the climate crisis. This Government have made their choice; others will have to do so too.
Layla Moran
Lib Dem
Oxford West and Abingdon
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State to his post. I welcome the tone of his statement and I share its ambition. Will he join me in commending the ambitious work of Lib Dem-led Oxfordshire county council, which wants to reach net zero by 2030, and the work of all councils everywhere? They are on the frontline of the climate crisis in our communities. He talks about local people having a say. Does he agree that often the best way for local communities to feel they have that say is through their local councils?
Minister reply
Characteristically, the hon. Lady makes an important point. To deliver this agenda, we have to get the central-local relationship right, because if we try to deliver it all from the centre we will not succeed. To take the example of improving the appalling state of energy efficiency in our homes, much of that work will have to be delivered by local authorities. That is the right way to do it, and I pay tribute to all the local authorities across the country that are showing ambition in that area.
Rachel Blake
Lab Co-op
Cities of London and Westminster
Question
I congratulate the Secretary of State on his appointment. The Cities of London and Westminster have a huge contribution to make for the UK to be a clean energy superpower, not just through investment driven from the City of London and innovation driven by businesses across the constituency, but through our residential community energy schemes, such as Aldgate Solar Power, which is a fantastic local co-operative. However, after years of dither and delay by the Conservative Government and the former Conservative council, the Pimlico district heating undertaking is in desperate need of investment. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss how we can make it an exemplar scheme and mitigate the cost for local residents and leaseholders, who may be facing significant costs because of the nature and construction of the heating equipment?
Minister reply
I congratulate my hon. Friend on her election. I have worked with her in the past and I know she will be an outstanding Member of Parliament. The Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for Rutherglen, is going to be very busy, but I am sure he will happily meet her to discuss her question. She raises community energy schemes.
I want to emphasise that one thing Great British Energy will deliver is our local power plan, which will work with local communities and local authorities to deliver community energy. One of the answers to the question of how we build public consent for this is community ownership of energy. We want to drive that forward, and that is what the local power plan will be about.
Gavin Williamson
Con
Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge
Question
I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on his appointment. The decisions that the Government have made will see a much more rapid decommissioning of oil and gas in the North sea. How much additional money has he secured from the Treasury to cover the Government’s legal costs for that decommissioning, and how much does he think it will cost in total?
Minister reply
The most important thing is to secure a just transition for those communities, as set out in our manifesto, through £8.3 billion from Great British Energy and over £7 billion from our national wealth fund. The truth is that there is massive debate in the House about licensing. The right hon. Gentleman will not have been at the debate when we discussed these issues, but the difference it makes to how much of our gas demand is produced domestically is that under the old Government—[Interruption.] Let me explain. Under the old Government policy, there would have been a 95% reduction in our demand met domestically, but under this Government’s policy, it will be 97%. For all the hue and cry from the Opposition, that is the reality.
Perran Moon
Lab
Camborne and Redruth
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State to his position. Cornwall is one of the most deprived areas of northern Europe. However, we are blessed with vast renewable energy resources, as mentioned earlier: onshore wind, offshore wind, geothermal, tidal, solar and ground source heat technologies, as well as critical minerals, not from China but from Camborne and Redruth. Will the Secretary of State meet me and Cornish colleagues to discuss how GB Energy will be used to realise our renewable energy potential and to transform local Cornish economies?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is also a great guy to go on a boat with. As he says, Cornwall and our coastal communities have an incredibly important part to play. Some of the biggest economic challenges we face as a country are in our coastal communities. It is not easy, but if we get this right it will be a massive opportunity, not just for Cornwall but for all our coastal communities, and that is what this Government intend to do.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State to his new role and asks about the farming community's needs in achieving a better world.
Minister reply
Thanks for the kind words, acknowledges the importance of rural communities, especially farming ones. Emphasises the need to balance food security, nature preservation, and clean energy.
Melanie Onn
Lab
Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
Question
Asks about measures to ensure offshore wind supply chain benefits constituents.
Minister reply
Welcomes the MP back, acknowledges her expertise. Plans to develop a green industrial strategy with Business and Trade Secretary for job creation.
Carla Denyer
Green
Bristol Central
Question
Asks about GB Energy's commitment to public investment in renewable generation.
Minister reply
Confirms GB Energy will invest in various ways, not limiting itself to minority stakes. Challenges the Green party on their stance towards new energy infrastructure.
Torsten Bell
Lab
Swansea West
Question
Welcomes the Secretary of State and asks about seizing tidal power opportunities.
Minister reply
Welcomes the MP, agrees that Britain is in the lead with tidal energy but wants to go further.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
Question
Critiques Government's decision on solar farms and questions its impact on food security.
Minister reply
Refutes the concerns, stating only 0.1% of land is used for solar panels. Emphasises that farmers support this decision.
Imran Hussain
Lab
Bradford East
Question
Asks about investment in hydrogen hub projects.
Minister reply
Welcomes the MP's advocacy, confirms the importance of the hydrogen economy for future success and job generation.
Alistair Carmichael
Lib Dem
Orkney and Shetland
Question
Asks about tidal power deployment targets and round 6 allocation.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of the issue, considering expanded pot for allocation round 6.
Blair McDougall
Lab
East Renfrewshire
Question
Invites the Secretary to visit Whitelee wind farm and questions about Uyghur region's polysilicon use.
Minister reply
Welcomes the invitation, acknowledges the serious issue regarding polysilicon sourcing.
Lee Anderson
Reform
Ashfield
Question
Critiques GB Energy by comparing it to Robin Hood Energy.
Minister reply
Explains difference between supply and generation companies, challenges Reform UK's stance on public ownership of energy.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Question
Urges the Secretary to work quickly for energy security.
Minister reply
Acknowledges the importance of energy security, emphasises the need for a modern industrial policy to seize opportunities.
Sarah Dyke
Lib Dem
Glastonbury and Somerton
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State to his place. Somerset is home to many ground-mounted solar farm developments. Although I fully support the significantly increasing amount of electricity that we generate from renewables, I believe that the communities that host the infrastructure should receive compensation. The Government’s recent policy statement on onshore wind agreed with that, so will community benefit funds be mandated for new solar farm developments?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady raises an important issue. The previous Government had a whole series of consultations out on community benefit. We will respond to those, but I want to be very clear that I believe that when a community takes on the responsibility of hosting clean energy infrastructure, it should benefit from it.
Knowsley
Question
I welcome my right hon. Friend to his role, and I welcome his ambition. During the general election campaign, so many residents in Knowsley told me that they were struggling with the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills. Can the Secretary of State confirm that Great British Energy will allow us to take back control of our system, give us energy security, and crucially lower bills for families?
Minister reply
Let me welcome my hon. Friend to her place, and congratulate her on her election; she will be a great Member of Parliament. She raises such an important issue. More than 3 million people are in fuel poverty in our country. One thing that this Government will do that the last Government did not is demand that landlords raise the standard of their accommodation to a proper energy performance certificate standard C by 2030. That will make a dent in this issue, but the House should be in no doubt about our ambition to cut that number of 3.2 million as much as possible in the five years of this Parliament.
James Wild
Con
North West Norfolk
Question
Plans for 90 miles of pylons from Lincolnshire to my North West Norfolk constituency and new substations are strongly opposed by local communities. Will the Secretary of State commit to a review of network technologies, and consider a presumption in favour of underground or offshore proposals?
Minister reply
I will look at all proposals, but I think the hon. Gentleman knows that underground cables cost six to 10 times more; that is why the last Government did not agree to them.[Official Report, 2 September 2024; Vol. 753, c. 1WC.] (Correction) If part of our challenge is to cut bills for people, that is not a sustainable solution for the future. I am sympathetic to all MPs who raise issues on behalf of their constituents, but I gently say again to him that if we want to avoid a repeat of the cost of living crisis, if we want to tackle the climate crisis, and if we want energy security, we will have to build the grid in our country.
Henry Tufnell
Lab
Mid and South Pembrokeshire
Question
I welcome the comments of the Secretary of State, which are incredibly encouraging for communities such as mine in west Wales. Throughout the campaign, I heard again and again the demand from local people, from Pembroke Dock to Milford Haven, for well paid, secure jobs in the industries of the future. In the port of Milford Haven we have a huge opportunity, particularly in the area of floating offshore wind. Will the Secretary of State meet me to discuss the opportunities for my constituency, and how we can overcome the barriers to investment in local jobs?
Minister reply
I was delighted to visit the port of Milford Haven during the election campaign. There is an interesting issue here: the £1.8 billion investment that this Government are making in our ports will hopefully allow us to invest in floating offshore wind at more ports than the last Government were able to. I cannot make promises about particular ports from the Dispatch Box, but this is so important, because if we are to get the jobs here, we must invest in our port infrastructure.
Greg Smith
Con
Mid Buckinghamshire
Question
The Secretary of State referred multiple times to community consent, yet the 6,000 acres of solar installation in the constituency of my hon. Friend the Member for West Suffolk (Nick Timothy) had no community consent. That sends shivers down the spine of my constituents in and around the villages known as the Claydons, who are looking down the barrel of a 2,100-acre solar installation called Rosefield. That is on top of a proposed battery storage plant next door, and on top of the National Grid wanting to build a brand-new substation to take the thing in; it is the tail wagging the dog. What will change to make community consent a reality?
Minister reply
What the hon. Gentleman wants for nationally significant projects is community veto.
Andrew Pakes
Lab Co-op
Peterborough
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State and his team to the Chamber. It is a privilege to make my first contribution in this House on such an ambitious plan. It is ambitious not just on net zero, the climate crisis and energy security, but on jobs and opportunities for young people in places such as mine. In my constituency, Peterborough college is already building a green technology centre to develop new green apprenticeships, and we have plans for a clean energy transition centre. Will the Secretary of State put on record his commitment to working with trade unions, communities, colleges and others, so that we can move from blue-collar to green-collar apprenticeships, and give young people an opportunity to succeed in life as we meet our climate and energy needs?
Minister reply
I welcome my hon. Friend to his place. He raises the important question of how we ensure—this issue will be familiar to Members across the House—that we not only have the capacity to generate jobs in clean energy but can meet the skills needs of the country in order to fill them. This is frankly something on which we need to do a lot better as a country. My Department—I will talk about this in the next few weeks—will take on more of a function around looking at the skills needs of the clean energy economy, working with the Department for Education on how we meet them. He raises a crucial point in that context.
Tony Vaughan
Lab
Folkestone and Hythe
Question
I congratulate the Secretary of State and his team on their recent appointment and thank them for their recent visit to Cheyne Court wind farm in my constituency, which was opened by the Secretary of State in 2009. Dungeness A and Dungeness B in my constituency are former nuclear power stations that are in the process of being decommissioned. Dungeness has the land, infrastructure, grid connections and local expertise that make it well placed for new nuclear. Will the Secretary of State be willing to meet me to discuss how we can harness Dungeness’s potential for the local area and the regional community?
Minister reply
I was delighted to visit the Cheyne Court wind farm with my hon. Friend—a wind farm that I opened 15 years ago on my first visit as the Secretary of State. Pictures of how much I have aged between then and now are available on request. He raises a really important issue. He is an important advocate for clean energy, whether in relation to wind power or the potential nuclear programme. Both are important to us.
Richard Burgon
Lab
Leeds East
Question
I congratulate the Secretary of State on his position, and on the vigorous start that he has made on this most important of issues facing humanity and the world. I was particularly encouraged to see him put climate diplomacy high on the agenda, and at the heart of the new Cabinet. That is so important, after 14 years of the previous Government’s denigration of Britain’s role in the world on this most important issue of tackling climate change. Will he further outline to the House the work that he plans to ensure that, unlike in the past 15 years, Britain will be the main player that it needs to be in global co-operation on tackling the threat of climate change?
Minister reply
I am pleased that my hon. Friend has asked me that question. The world wants to see British leadership, but British leadership starts at home with the power of example. If we do not show that we are acting at home then people say, “You’re telling us one thing abroad, but doing something different when it comes to your own domestic situation.” The truth is that COP29 in Azerbaijan and crucially COP30 in Brazil will be very important moments. COP30 is when the world has to come to terms with how far off track we are from 1.5°C, and put in our nationally determined contributions for 2035. I look forward to Britain playing as much of a constructive role in those negotiations as we can.
Luke Myer
Lab
Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
Question
I welcome the Secretary of State to his place. Teesside is perfectly positioned for the green jobs of the future—jobs in hydrogen, clean power and ports—as my right hon. Friend knows from his recent visit to Teesport. Will he meet me and colleagues to ensure that we can bring jobs and investment to Teesside?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend, who I welcome to his place, makes such an important point about the role Teesside can play. I saw on a recent visit how much potential there is and we look forward to working with him on these issues.
Luke Murphy
Lab
Basingstoke
Question
I welcome my right hon. Friend and his team to their place. He had the privilege of visiting Basingstoke college of technology during the election campaign to meet some of the fantastic apprentices and students there. Further to his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Peterborough (Andrew Pakes), will he commit to working with colleges such as BCOT as he develops the plan for skills and training for the hundreds of thousands of jobs we need to deliver on our ambition of a clean energy superpower?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend and welcome him to the House. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on these issues. I enjoyed my visit to Basingstoke. What really came home to me on that visit was young people’s enthusiasm for this agenda—not simply because they care about the climate crisis, but because they see this as a potential future for themselves, their friends and their family. I look forward to working with colleges such as his to make that a reality.
Calder Valley
Question
It is great to see my right hon. Friend in his place after over a decade of leadership on this issue, talking about climate change and really making that difference. In Calder Valley, Together Housing is a good example of a housing association that is doing well in putting solar on roofs and taking advantage of microgeneration. However, I am sure he will agree that one problem for those kinds of projects is that the national grid is not up to scratch. Key to being a clean energy superpower is getting a modern national grid. Will he also agree to visit some of Together Housing’s projects, which keep bills down and put solar panels on roofs?
Minister reply
I welcome my hon. Friend to his place and congratulate him on his election, and I commend his housing association for what it is doing. He raises one of the biggest issues that the previous Government faced and that this Government face. The flipside of all the Conservative Members saying that they do not want the grid built is what my hon. Friend just said—maybe they should have a conversation. What he is saying is that if we do not build the grid, we cannot get the clean energy and we cannot cut bills for our constituents. I do not say that this is easy, and I do not want to pretend that it is. Certainly the last Government did not find it easy, but we have to decide. To govern is to choose, and our choice is that we believe this clean energy infrastructure needs to be built.
Peter Swallow
Lab
Bracknell
Question
Last week Bracknell Forest council held a climate change summit, bringing together local businesses, schools and community organisations in my constituency to engage in discussions about how best to face the challenges of climate change. Does the Secretary of State agree that communities are crying out to take part and to be engaged in the clean energy transition?
Minister reply
Again, I congratulate my hon. Friend. He raises an important point that we have not touched on: the role of citizens in this change. My sense is that, while of course there are specific planning issues that people raise about their own communities, the view of many citizens in our country is, “What can I do? What difference can I make?” I think the Government need to do a better job of answering that. That is not nanny-statism, to reassure the Conservatives, but public information about the difference people can make in this incredibly important cause.
Laurence Turner
Lab
Birmingham Northfield
Question
As a recent official of the GMB trade union, which has been mentioned in this statement, I welcome the Secretary of State and his team and officials to their place. How welcome it is to have a change of Government from the record of the last 14 years, with the ducking and delaying of difficult decisions on issues from nuclear to gas storage, and the exclusion for too long of workers’ voices from the decisions that affect the energy system. In opposition, my right hon. Friend established an energy transition working group to bring together trade unions and workers’ voices at the heart of energy plans. Can he confirm today that continuing that group in government will be an early priority for this new Administration?
Minister reply
I welcome my hon. Friend to this House and thank him for the work we did together in opposition on all these issues. As this is the final question, he ends on a really important point: this Government have a completely different attitude to the role that trade unions can play in the future of our energy system, and we are proud of it. If we are to make the energy transition, including in the North sea, and build a proper industrial policy for the future, we should do what every other self-respecting nation does and have trade unions at the heart of our policymaking and decision making. That is what this Government will do.
Shadow Comment
Claire Coutinho
Shadow Comment
The shadow expresses disappointment over lack of advance notice of the statement but congratulates the minister. She criticises Labour's plans as a liability for growth, questioning their impact on bills, security, and reliance on China. The business sector has warned about high costs and potential job losses from rapid decarbonisation plans. Questions arise regarding the origin of oil and gas needed beyond 2030 and the economic impacts of such policies. Coutinho also highlights concerns over rural communities' involvement in energy infrastructure projects and raises questions about criteria for approving solar farms on agricultural land. She urges clarity on cost implications, job security, and reliance on foreign fuels under Labour’s plans.
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