Alan Whitehead
MP for Southampton, Test
Lab
Questions Asked by This MP
Parliamentary questions and government responses.
Response classifications show how directly each question was answered.
I congratulate the Prime Minister on his new post and welcome a fellow Southampton supporter into No. 10. During his last campaign for PM, he pledged to prohibit any onshore wind development, which is now the cheapest form of power available. Will he change his mind?
Context
During his campaign to become Prime Minister, he pledged to prohibit onshore wind development. This pledge is now under scrutiny as onshore wind has become the cheapest form of power in the UK.
Rishi Sunak (Prime Minister)
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his kind words and look forward to seeing him at St Mary's, although my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House may have something to say about our love of the Saints. When it comes to energy policy, I stick by what we said in our manifesto: more renewables, offshore wind, and indeed more nuclear, which is what this Government will deliver.
Assessment
Did not specify if he would reconsider onshore wind development
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
Asks why the UK did not introduce quarantine arrangements earlier while most other European countries have had them.
Context
Most European countries have quarantine measures in place. This country is now introducing them.
The Prime Minister
For the simple reason that as we get the rate of infection down, with the efforts that we are making as a country, it is vital that we avoid reinfection from elsewhere.
Session: PMQs
View Full Session -->
The Minister and her colleagues have repeatedly said today that they care about cutting bills for families, but a recent report found that the onshore wind ban has hit the poorest households' income six times harder than that of the richest. Such households have been forced to pay additional electricity bills as a result of the total failure to build onshore wind in England. How can Ministers continue to claim they stand up for working families when blocking the cheapest form of clean energy, which could cut bills for families who desperately need help? Will the Secretary of State pledge to put this right so that onshore wind can be built again and customers can save money?
Context
A report by the Resolution Foundation found that the onshore wind ban has disproportionately affected poorer households' incomes compared to richer ones.
Amanda Solloway
That is absolutely not the case. We stand here incredibly proudly as Ministers in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, and we have made a commitment. We are doing more than has ever been done on renewables and offshore wind, and we have done more to help people with the affordability of their bills.
Session: Energy Bills
View All Questions -->
I am not sure that answer gives much reassurance to industry or this House. The truth is that uprating our port infrastructure is critical for deploying floating offshore wind and for reaching a zero carbon power system, but Government support is so inadequate that they are funding only two ports, dropping viable projects on the way, when, according to the floating offshore wind taskforce, to reach floating offshore wind ambitions we need infrastructure upgraded in at least 11 ports. Is this not another example of the Government failing to invest for the future and failing to back British industry?
Context
Government support is inadequate, funding only two ports when the floating offshore wind taskforce recommends upgrading at least 11 ports.
Claire Coutinho
The only failure on renewable energy is the record Labour left when they were in power, when 7% of our electricity was generated from renewables whereas now that figure is 50%. On ports, not only have we got our world-leading freeport agenda but we have put forward projects such as FLOWMIS—the floating offshore wind manufacturing investment scheme—which is also helping to build our port infrastructure.
Session: Floating Offshore Wind
View All Questions -->
I am sure the Secretary of State does not want a repeat on her watch of the failure of allocation round 5, when her Department managed to crash the offshore wind market. However, the industry is already warning that the parameters set for floating wind in the next round, AR6, could mean that only one sub-gigawatt project succeeds in getting contract for difference support: way off the Government's recently trumpeted target of 5 GW of floating offshore by 2030. What steps is she taking to ensure that we do not see another failure and lose the global race for this emerging technology?
Context
The industry warns that the set parameters for floating wind in AR6 could mean only one sub-gigawatt project gets support.
Claire Coutinho
If people want to ensure that we win the global race for renewable technology, they should, frankly, vote Conservative. Under the Conservatives, world-leading mechanisms have been introduced. The only country that has built more offshore wind capacity than the UK is China. We have an enormous and very successful track record, and continue to work with industry to ensure that AR6 will be a success.
Session: Floating Offshore Wind
View All Questions -->
I think that the Secretary of State has accepted the link between cold homes and health outcomes. If that is the case, are the Government considering expanding this approach, or looking for alternative ways in which the health system and fuel poverty prevention can go hand in hand? The recent Institute of Health Equity Marmot report highlighted the negative effects of living in cold and uninsulated homes, including respiratory and circulatory diseases and hampered lung and brain development in children. Last year, the Energy Systems Catapult and a number of NHS providers ran a trial of warm homes prescriptions.
Context
The recent Institute of Health Equity Marmot report highlighted the negative effects of living in cold homes on respiratory and circulatory diseases, as well as lung and brain development issues for children. A trial was run last year to support vulnerable patients with their energy needs.
Victoria Atkins
The hon. Gentleman is right to say that a number of local warm homes prescription schemes have offered additional support to help people with health vulnerabilities to stay warm and well. Such schemes are excellent examples of local collaboration between the NHS, local government and other partners—tailored, of course, to the local needs of their areas—and I would be interested to see whether other parts of the NHS choose to take up these sorts of ideas in the future.
Session: Fuel Poverty
View All Questions -->
What recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero on tackling the health impacts of fuel poverty. The Government's 2021 fuel poverty strategy recognised that warm homes can help to reduce health inequalities and pressure on the NHS. That is a key reason why we are delivering a package of cost support worth £3,700 per household on average from 2022 to 2025 and investing heavily in fuel efficiency.
Context
The issue of fuel poverty's health implications is being discussed, particularly focusing on the need for government action to address this concern.
Victoria Atkins
The Government's 2021 fuel poverty strategy recognised that warm homes can help to reduce health inequalities and pressure on the NHS. That is a key reason why we are delivering a package of cost support worth £3,700 per household on average from 2022 to 2025 and investing heavily in fuel efficiency.
Session: Fuel Poverty
View All Questions -->
Contrary to propaganda from the Conservative side, the last Labour Government handed over a detailed nuclear development plan that ran up to 2025, with 10 sites identified for nuclear development, early discussions with nuclear developers, and a plan for a deep and secure nuclear repository. Since then, over 14 years, not one electron of new nuclear power has been produced, Hinkley C is now at risk of further delays and no progress at all has been made on the establishment of a secure storage site for nuclear waste. What assurances can the Minister give that lessons have been learned from that frankly fairly lamentable stewardship of the previous plan, and that the latest plan is set up to deliver?
Context
The last Labour Government had a nuclear development plan up to 2025 with identified sites, discussions with developers, and plans for a secure repository. No new nuclear power has been generated in over 14 years, Hinkley C faces delays, and no progress on waste storage.
Andrew Bowie
I have never been accused of propagandising before. It is a matter of pride on the Conservative Benches that every single nuclear project that has ever been completed in this country has been completed under a Conservative Government—it does not look as though that is likely to change any time soon, despite the protestations and near-Damascene conversion of Labour Front Benchers on nuclear over the past few years. We are carrying on with our nuclear revival; we have set out our nuclear road map; and we are encouraging, enthusing and investing in our civil nuclear sector. I am very excited about the progress that we have made and what will take place in the sector over the next few years.
Session: New Nuclear
View All Questions -->
As the Minister will know, the sustainable aviation fuel mandate will come into force in 2025, but meanwhile the Government have not yet responded to consultations on how it will work, and there is no real-world fuel sourcing analysis or plan that would take account of the changing nature of municipal waste arising from the already allocated uses of municipal and agricultural feedstock for purposes other than the production of SAF. What steps is the Minister taking to develop a realistic plan for feedstock availability and use?
Context
The question concerns the lack of a Government response to consultations on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) mandates, highlighting the absence of real-world analysis and plans for feedstock availability.
Anthony Browne
I welcome the hon. Gentleman's question. As I have just said, we will shortly publish the low-carbon fuel strategy, which will set out the different sources of low-carbon fuels. We will publish our response to the SAF mandate by the spring. A great deal of detailed analysis and work is being done in relation to different fuel sources. We will also publish a revenue certainty mechanism to ensure that we have a UK SAF industry. We engage regularly with the industry on this, and it is very confident about and supportive of the Government's policies.
Session: Sustainable Aviation Fuel
View All Questions -->
What steps is he taking with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to improve the allocation of resources between the production of sustainable aviation fuel and other uses of biomass?
Context
The question pertains to the allocation of biomass resources between sustainable aviation fuel and other uses, highlighting concerns over prioritization in decarbonisation efforts.
Anthony Browne
In developing the biomass strategy and our forthcoming low-carbon fuel strategy, my Department has worked closely with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, whose policy paper on the biomass strategy was published last year. Sectors that are harder to decarbonise, including aviation, should be priority uses for biomass. We are continuing to work across Government, and with industry experts, to ensure that policies increase the supply of sustainable aviation fuels deliver on our climate change commitments.
Session: Sustainable Aviation Fuel
View All Questions -->
Will the Minister accept reality and repeal the ban to reduce energy bills?
Context
Onshore wind could save £180 per family if the policy was not in place.
Graham Stuart
Frustration is shared, but it was under Labour that carbon emissions flatlined. This Government have led in growing renewables.
Session: Onshore Wind Farm Cables
View All Questions -->
Since the loosening of planning restrictions in September, no planning applications have been submitted. Does the Minister think the Government has succeeded?
Context
No planning applications have been lodged since September.
Graham Stuart
In the last contracts round, a lot of onshore wind was successfully brought forward and it remains the largest single form of renewable energy in the UK. However, more projects are needed in England.
Session: Onshore Wind Farm Cables
View All Questions -->
I think maybe the Government should take lessons from Labour. It is now generally understood that the Government consultation is likely to lead to only minimal relaxation of planning rules and that onshore wind will effectively remain banned. Tory peer Lord Deben, chairman of the Climate Change Committee, said of the consultation on Saturday that it is simply unacceptable that the Government are still discussing whether they are in favour of onshore wind or not when it is widely recognised as one of the cheapest forms of energy generation. He is right, is he not?
Context
Lord Deben, chairman of the Climate Change Committee, criticized the government's consultation as insufficient.
Andrew Bowie
I really wish the Labour party would stop talking down what we are doing on renewable electricity. I remind the House that the consultation on onshore wind finishes on 7 July.
Session: Onshore Wind Proposals Community Engagement
View All Questions -->
The Minister is sort of right that there have been some onshore wind turbines built just recently—two since February 2022, so there is not much chance of community engagement there, to be honest. In December, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities promised that the onshore wind ban would be completely lifted by the end of April this year. Why have the Government broken that promise?
Context
The Secretary of State promised to lift the onshore wind ban by April but has not done so.
Andrew Bowie
I will take no lectures from the Labour party on developing renewable electricity. When Labour left office in 2010—[Interruption.] They do not like to hear this, but when Labour left office in 2010, less than 7% of the grid was accounted for by renewables. Now it is 43%.
Session: Onshore Wind Proposals Community Engagement
View All Questions -->
I have been contacted by a number of businesses, mostly farms, that want to install renewable energy in the form of a solar array or a wind turbine, but have been advised that they will have to pay thousands of pounds to help to upgrade the grid in their area, making those projects unaffordable. Along with the commitment to phase out oil-fired boilers, that means that there will be huge demand on rural grid capacity. Will the Minister reassure me that he is taking steps to ensure rural networks will be able to cope with that surge in demand?
Context
The question arises from concerns about rural businesses being unable to afford grid upgrades necessary for renewable energy projects.
Andrew Bowie
I am very happy to give the hon. Member that assurance. We are doing everything we can, working with Ofgem, companies, providers and other organisations, to ensure that the grid across the United Kingdom, but in particular in rural locations, where there will be a huge surge in demand, is able to cope and that people have fair and equitable access to that.
Session: Grid Capacity
View All Questions -->
The Minister says that some things are beginning to happen, but does he recognise in this context the figure of £30 billion, which is the investment the energy system operator considers is necessary to make the system fit for offshore wind and other renewables coming on to the system, not by 2035 but by 2030? Is he prepared to commit now to find that amount of investment, one way or another? If he cannot do that, how can we take his assurances on action at all seriously?
Context
The question is prompted by concerns about the investment needed to meet renewable energy demands.
Andrew Bowie
This Government are determined to face up to the challenges that we have. We have moved forward at such pace, having inherited a disgraceful situation in terms of how much renewable electricity was being produced under the last Labour Government. That is why the grid is facing such challenges today and why we have commissioned Nick Winser to produce a review in the summer to see how we can move much faster to achieve our goals. I would welcome the hon. Gentleman and the Labour party being more supportive, talking up this country and our success in developing renewable electricity, and working with us to tackle the challenges that he so rightly brings to the Floor of the House today.
Session: Grid Capacity
View All Questions -->
That wasn't very good, was it? The Government's own offshore wind champion Tim Pick said last week that we will miss our 2030 offshore wind ambitions by more than 10 GW because of poor grid connections. Even with the lifting of the onshore ban—if we believe the Minister—developers will not invest given the prospect of a 13-year delay in grid connection. When will the Minister commit to a speedy programme of grid capacity building, to give onshore and offshore wind a good chance of success?
Context
Concern over failure to meet offshore wind ambitions due to poor grid connections and potential investment risks from long delays.
Andrew Bowie
As I said, this country is leading the way in investment in new renewable technology. We acknowledge that there are difficulties connecting to the grid, and we are investing in improving that. Nick Winser's report is coming in June, which will give recommendations to Government on how to reduce the timescale for connecting those new projects to the grid. That is the focus of this Government, not playing politics. We are taking real decisions to benefit this country, to cut our carbon emissions and to reduce energy bills across the piece.
Session: Renewable Energy Projects Connection to the Grid
View All Questions -->
If we are prevented from building renewable power in the first place, connection times become rather a moot point. Will the Minister explain why he has failed to lift the ban on onshore wind, despite the Government saying that it would be lifted by the end of April?
Context
Onshore wind ban previously in place, now lifted by the government. Developers face delays in connecting to the grid which affects investment decisions.
Andrew Bowie
This Government are committed to onshore wind as a huge part of our renewable energy mix—14 GW, in fact. We are also committed to new renewables offshore and to new nuclear, which the Labour party opposed for such a long time. It will be a whole collection of those new technologies and infrastructure projects that will help us drive our way towards our net zero ambitions and the cleanest and cheapest electricity in Europe.
Session: Renewable Energy Projects Connection to the Grid
View All Questions -->
What figure between 6,400 and 100,000 does the Secretary of State think would be acceptable for developing social and rented housing? The hon. Gentleman believes that about 100,000 new social rent homes are needed every year.
Context
There is a significant gap between the number of new social rent homes needed and those built in England last year.
Michael Gove
The Government aims to increase the proportion of new homes for social rent through reprofiling the affordable homes programme. The actual number was closer to 30,000 overall last year.
Session: Social Rented Housing
View All Questions -->
The Secretary of State says that he has brought the scandal of prepayment meters to an end, but it certainly is not at an end. Indeed, the Government were repeatedly warned about this scandal but were effectively paralysed while thousands of vulnerable householders were disconnected by the back door. Customers now face more uncertainty as the moratorium on forced installations ends in just four weeks' time, with nothing in its place. Can the Secretary of State confirm that there will be no lifting of the ban until this rotten system has been reformed and that there will be a proper compensation scheme managed by the Government for every customer affected?
Context
The government had been warned about the issue of prepayment meters, which led to thousands of vulnerable customers being disconnected. The moratorium on forced installations is ending in four weeks with no replacement scheme.
Grant Shapps
As I mentioned previously, there is a role for prepayment meters. For example, my son lives in a shared flat, and they find a prepayment meter a very good way to pay the energy bill. I do not think that an outright ban is the right way to go, but the hon. Gentleman and others have rightly pointed out the level of concern across the House, which I absolutely share, about prepayment meters being forced on customers. We will ensure that we do not go back to those bad old days that I was pleased to play an important part in stopping.
Session: Prepayment Meters Forced Installation
View All Questions -->
The Minister is aware that recent Local Government Association analysis showed Bolsover has some of the worst dentist provision in the UK. That is highlighted by constituents to me daily. Whether it is getting access to treatment or even registering for an NHS practice, my constituents are struggling. Will the Minister take a look at that and meet me so we can discuss what more we can do for dentistry in Bolsover?
Context
The MP notes constituent struggles with accessing NHS dentists, highlighted by recent Local Government Association analysis showing poor provision.
Neil O'Brien
The Department provided £1.7 billion during the pandemic; now, we pay dentists more fairly with extra weekend activity for practices; 530 additional dentists did NHS work last year. Seven Derbyshire dental providers will deliver extra weekend activity to improve access this winter.
Session: Local Dental Provision
View All Questions -->
I welcome the proposals to extend the decent homes standard in the private rented sector. Is it the Government's intention to include their stated targets on private rented sector energy efficiency in homes in the decent homes standard? If they do that, what sanctions will the Government be proposing for landlords who fail to make their properties energy-efficient?
Context
The government has published the 'A fairer private rented sector' White Paper, which includes proposals to extend the decent homes standard in the private rented sector.
Michael Gove
The hon. Gentleman is right that energy efficiency is a critical part of making sure that homes are decent, safe and warm, and we will be considering what steps and what proposals we might be able to put in place to ensure that landlords live up to their responsibilities.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
I am concerned about my departmental responsibilities. If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities.
Context
No specific background or context given.
Michael Gove
I had the enormous privilege on Wednesday last week of attending the unveiling of the Windrush memorial, which marks the fantastic contribution made to this country over more than 70 years by migrants from the Caribbean and the wider Commonwealth. I wish to place on the record my thanks not just to the Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Saffron Walden (Kemi Badenoch), but to Baroness Floella Benjamin for the fantastic work she undertook to ensure that that fitting memorial could be unveiled.
Session: Topical Questions
View All Questions -->
The hospital trust in Southampton, which is an excellent provider, is desperate to get back to elective surgery and non-life-threatening procedures but finds that it cannot because it cannot integrate covid treatment into general ward activities and has a continuing high level of staff sickness. What assistance can the Minister provide for the trust to enable it to get on the front foot as regards elective procedures and non-life-threatening treatments in the near future?
Context
The hospital trust in Southampton is struggling to return to normal elective surgery and non-life-threatening procedures due to ongoing challenges with integrating covid treatment into general ward activities and high staff sickness levels.
Edward Argar
The hon. Gentleman rightly pays tribute to the staff at his hospital trust, and I join him in doing so. The number of those in his area waiting for an elective procedure or routine operation has reduced slightly. There is more to do, but the trust is making inroads, as he says, and I know that it wants to do more. As we set out in the elective recovery plan, some innovations such as surgical hubs allow a greater separation between covid areas and elective activity.
Session: NHS Waiting Lists Southampton
View All Questions -->
What steps he is taking to reduce NHS waiting lists in Southampton. The hospital trust in Southampton, which is an excellent provider, is desperate to get back to elective surgery and non-life-threatening procedures but finds that it cannot because it cannot integrate covid treatment into general ward activities and has a continuing high level of staff sickness.
Context
The question arises from concerns about increasing NHS waiting times in Southampton, exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic.
Edward Argar
Reducing waiting lists and waiting times, exacerbated of course by the impact of the pandemic, is a key priority. Southampton will benefit from the actions set out in the elective recovery plan published by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State. The Solent Acute Alliance hospital upgrade programme received £12.1 million for University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust to increase capacity at Southampton General Hospital. Some innovations such as surgical hubs allow a greater separation between covid areas and elective activity.
Session: NHS Waiting Lists Southampton
View All Questions -->
Other Parliamentary Activity
Debates led and petitions presented.
Gas-fired Power Stations
13 March 2024
Ministerial Statement
Contributed to this debate
Backbench Business
22 February 2024
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
Damian Collins moved that the House has considered the civil nuclear roadmap. He emphasised the importance of achieving an additional 24 GW of nuclear energy by 2050, noting significant changes in tec...
Petroleum Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill - Clause 1 - Duty to invite applications for offshore licences
20 February 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The amendment proposed by Alok Sharma seeks to prevent the OGA from inviting new seaward area production application licences until a ban on flaring and venting is in place. It requires regulations to...
The Offshore Petroleum Licensing Bill
22 January 2024
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves the bill, emphasising Britain's commitment to reducing emissions while supporting energy security and economic growth. The amendment seeks annual licensing of oil and gas production in UK waters...
The Energy Bill - Lords amendment 274B and Commons amendment to remove it
18 October 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Moves that the House disagrees with Lords amendment 274B, arguing that the Government has already committed to consulting on barriers preventing community energy schemes and does not feel it necessary...
Petroleum Licensing (Exploration and Production) (Seaward and Landward Areas) Regulations 2004
05 September 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
Established the context for the debate, setting rules for contributions and time management.
Under-age Vaping
12 July 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The speaker expressed concern about the alarming rise in under-age vaping, citing a study by Action on Smoking and Health which found that children participating in experimental vaping has increased b...
Estimates Day
05 July 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The debate focuses on the importance of energy infrastructure for sustaining living standards and basic security, especially considering the challenges posed by climate change and global energy supply...
Energy Security and Net Zero Bill - Clause on Energy Independence and Resilience
09 May 2023
Bill Debate
Contributed to this debate
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities moved to initiate the Second Reading of the Energy Security and Net Zero Bill. He emphasised that Britain's energy security has been sh...
Energy Trilemma
23 March 2023
General Debate
Contributed to this debate
The motion highlights the critical importance of balancing three key aspects of the energy trilemma: keeping the lights on, reducing energy costs for consumers, and decarbonising the economy. The deba...
2
PMQs Asked
23
Ministerial Questions Asked
42
House of Commons Debates Involved
0
Westminster Hall Debates Led
4
Statements / Bills
0
Petitions Presented
0
Voting Record
Activity Compared to Peers
How does this MP's parliamentary activity compare to the national average across 1370 MPs?
Prime Minister's Questions
-45% below average
This MP:
2
Average:
3.7
Ministerial Questions
+72% above average
This MP:
23
Average:
13.4
Westminster Hall Debates Led
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Commons Chamber Debates
+764% above average
This MP:
42
Average:
4.9
Statements / Bills Proposed
-58% below average
This MP:
4
Average:
9.5
Petitions Presented
-100% below average
This MP:
0
Average:
2.5
Voting Attendance Rate (%)
-100% below average
This MP:
0.0
Average:
69.2
Important Context
- - Ministers answer questions rather than asking them, so have different activity patterns
- - Activity quantity doesn't measure quality or effectiveness of representation
- - Some MPs focus more on constituency work than parliamentary questions
- - Newly elected MPs will have less parliamentary history
About This Page
This page tracks Alan Whitehead's parliamentary activity including questions asked, debates (Commons Chamber + Westminster Hall), statements/bills, and petitions presented.