Topical Questions 2024-10-08

2024-10-08

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Tracy Gilbert Lab
Edinburgh North and Leith
Context
The government has announced various measures on renewables, energy standards for renters, and carbon capture deals.
If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Given the recent announcement that GB Energy will be headquartered in Aberdeen with satellite offices elsewhere, can he outline the role of these satellite offices? Will he consider Leith as the location for the Edinburgh site?
As well as our measures on onshore wind, solar and renewables, this Government have begun legislating for Great British Energy and setting out our plan for proper standards for private and social renters to take 1 million families out of fuel poverty. My hon. Friend is right about the announcement on Aberdeen as the headquarters of Great British Energy and the importance of satellite offices. I know from my visit to her constituency of the huge potential of her area on these issues, and we want to drive jobs throughout the supply chain through Great British Energy.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific roles for satellite offices or mention Leith as a location for the Edinburgh site.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Tracy Gilbert Lab
Edinburgh North and Leith
Context
The Secretary of State has promised to cut bills by £300 by 2030 but is now not repeating this pledge. He also increased energy costs for millions of pensioners.
Will the Secretary of State apologize to pensioners worried about heating bills this winter? Why are many people in his party and others sounding alarms about job losses due to his ideological approach?
The last Government left a £22 billion black hole, and I have to say that she has a brass neck. She backed the right hon. Member for North West Essex who suggested means-testing winter fuel payments. The people who should be apologising are those from her party.
Assessment & feedback
Did not apologize or provide systems cost of his approach, instead attacking opposition's policies and figures.
Attacking
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Claire Coutinho Con
East Surrey
Context
The Secretary of State is being criticized by his own party and others for an ideological approach to energy policy.
Will the Secretary of State do the decent thing and set out the full systems cost of his approach so that the public can see what he will do to their bills?
After three months, people have breathed a sigh of relief with our Government's plan for the country. The former networks Minister and Energy Minister criticised previous policy decisions by her party on nuclear power bans and solar consents delays.
Assessment & feedback
Did not provide full systems cost or apology to pensioners, instead criticizing opposition figures.
Attacking
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Claire Coutinho Con
East Surrey
Context
Grid capacity issues are holding back house building and green businesses in west London.
What is my right hon. Friend's strategy to tackle grid capacity issues, and will he meet me and local businesses to discuss this?
My hon. Friend is right about the issue holding back projects, which is why we are tackling it from day one by attempting to release network capacity and prioritising the queue for viable projects. We are building on what was done previously but should have been built over 14 years.
Assessment & feedback
Did not outline a specific strategy or commit to meeting local businesses.
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Danny Beales Lab
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Context
The Secretary of State is asked about pressing ahead with nuclear power stations to meet net zero targets and keep energy bills low.
Does the Secretary of State accept that we need new generation of nuclear power for net zero targets, and will he accelerate projects like Hinkley Point and Sizewell C?
I agree that nuclear is essential in the energy mix. We are mainly going renewable but need nuclear as an accompaniment. I fully support Hinkley Point, Sizewell C, and small modular reactors.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
The previous Minister admitted that the last Government could have gone further and faster on home insulation, but said he would wait to see how the new Government tackles this.
When it comes to insulating millions more homes across the country and reducing bills for families, will we take a “wait and see” approach?
Whether it is ending the onshore wind ban, CCUS funding announced last week, our plans for Great British Energy, or warm homes plan, we are hitting the ground running to deliver energy security and financial security. The Conservatives dithered and delayed for 14 years.
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm a proactive approach towards home insulation but criticized previous government's inaction.
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Claire Young Lib Dem
Thornbury and Yate
Context
Local farmer in Thornbury and Yate constituency faces difficulties with grid connections for anaerobic digester installation, causing high costs and long delays.
To achieve net zero, we will need widespread micro-generation alongside large-scale projects. However, as a local farmer who wanted to install an anaerobic digester told me, grid connections are both costly and subject to long delays. What does the Secretary of State plan to do to address these issues, particularly in rural areas such as my Thornbury and Yate constituency?
The hon. Lady raises a question about the problems of grid connection that is familiar to many Members. We are building on work done by Nick Winser, the former electricity networks commissioner, and we want to go further to tackle the problem of grid connections once and for all.
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans or actions to address costs and delays were not provided
Want To Go Further
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Tom Rutland Lab
East Worthing and Shoreham
Context
UK has done well on offshore generation but jobs in the sector have not always been local. Rampion wind farm turbines are visible off the coast of East Worthing and Shoreham.
The great turbines of the Rampion wind farm are off my beautiful coastal constituency. Although the UK has done well on offshore generation, the jobs in this sector have not always been here in the UK. What plans do the Government have to expand offshore wind, and to ensure that UK workers and supply chains benefit from that expansion?
My hon. Friend asks an important question. Of course, we and the Opposition have fundamentally different views. We believe in an industrial strategy that will help to deliver our supply chains. We believe in Great British Energy, and we believe in a sovereign wealth fund, which so many other countries have and the previous Government failed to deliver. We will make sure we have resilient supply chains that create jobs, deliver energy security and maximise the economic benefits of the transition.
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans for expanding offshore wind were not provided; focused on industrial strategy in general terms
Fundamentally Different Views Sovereign Wealth Fund
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
Charlie Dewhirst Con
Bridlington and The Wolds
Context
Steelworkers in Scunthorpe require a grid connection for the construction of an electric arc furnace to be operational by next year.
What guarantees can the Secretary of State give to steelworkers in Scunthorpe that the grid connection required for a new electric arc furnace will be ready on time next year?
The hon. Gentleman raises a very important issue that I am afraid was not solved by the last Government. We are working at pace with National Grid, and I am sure the Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for Rutherglen (Michael Shanks), will be happy to talk to him further about the work we are doing.
Assessment & feedback
Specific guarantees regarding timely completion were not given
Working At Pace
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Anna Dixon Lab
Shipley
Context
Development of infrastructure for renewable energy, including battery storage facilities such as those proposed in Cullingworth.
I welcome the Government's commitment to increasing renewable energy generation. An important component of that is the development of associated infrastructure, including battery storage facilities such as those proposed in Cullingworth in my constituency. How do the Government plan to ensure that the safety of residents is not put at risk by such developments, and that there is clear community benefit from any renewable energy plans and the associated infrastructure?
Batteries will play an important part in the short-duration storage required for the energy system we are building for the future. It is a question of balance. Communities will be engaged in the consultation process, and I will be convening a roundtable with providers of battery technology and other short-duration storage in the next few months to learn both from projects that have worked well and from projects on which we could do better in future. I will happily share any information from that with my hon. Friend.
Assessment & feedback
Specific safety measures and community benefits were not detailed
Question Of Balance Roundtable To Learn
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Zöe Franklin Lib Dem
Guildford
Context
Community energy organisations propose discounts and fair benefits for local electricity generation.
Will the Secretary of State commit to ensuring that large energy suppliers work with community energy organisations to generate and sell electricity locally at discounted rates, and provide fair community benefits, as proposed by the Liberal Democrats?
The hon. Lady raises the important issue that, as a country, we are massively underpowered on community energy. As part of the GB Energy local power plan we will be trying to change that, learning from countries such as Germany and Denmark, which do much better than us. We will certainly look at the issues she raises.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment was not provided; focused on general intent
Gb Energy Local Power Plan Look At Issues
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Euan Stainbank Lab
Falkirk
Context
Energy workers in Falkirk and Grangemouth concerned about job security during transition to clean power.
The clean power by 2030 mission shows the clear intention of this Government to get on with the just transition. Energy workers in Falkirk, Grangemouth and across the central belt are rightly concerned about jobs. Between 2013 and 2023, under the previous Government, jobs in the UK oil and gas sector halved. Unfortunately, some of the Opposition parties have opposed the stream of funding for clean infrastructure and jobs of the future that will come from an increase in the energy profits levy on the record profits of oil and gas giants. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is time Opposition parties started putting their own plans forward on how they would get on with the just transition and deliver clean energy jobs at a critical time for workers and the climate?
My hon. Friend raises the important issue that what will define the future for North sea workers is whether there is a plan for future jobs in offshore wind, carbon capture and hydrogen. There was no plan from the previous Government; this Government are absolutely determined to ensure a just transition for those workers, using the power of Government and a proper industrial policy to make it happen.
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans or commitments regarding job security were not provided
Proper Industrial Policy
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Luke Evans Con
Hinckley and Bosworth
Context
Government froze fuel duty for 11 years; CMA review of petrol price competition ongoing.
On petrol prices, for the past 11 years the Government froze fuel duty; they cut it in 2002 and then froze it again. The Government instructed the Competition and Markets Authority to carry out a review, and we came up with the pumpwatch scheme. A consultation was undertaken in January, but when I wrote to the Government in September to ask about its results, they said they were looking at it and would consider it in due course. Is the scheme a priority for the Government? If not, in what other ways will they ensure petrol prices are kept low at the pump? Are they going to freeze fuel duty?
I will not comment on the Budget, obviously. We are very sympathetic to pumpwatch—it is important that there is a fair deal for consumers at the pump.
Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment regarding scheme's priority or alternative measures was not provided
Not Comment On Budget
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Steve Race Lab
Exeter
Context
Local council efforts to install solar panels on council homes for lower bills and green benefits.
Exeter city council has worked hard to install solar panels on council homes to ensure that social tenants can benefit from lower bills and participate in the green transition. Can the Minister set out what more we can do to ensure that all tenants benefit from new green technologies?
My hon. Friend raises such an important issue. Across the House, we can have different views on ground-mounted solar, but we need to do more on rooftops and to ensure that tenants, for example council tenants, benefit from such technologies. That is a huge priority for us and we are working on it with colleagues in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions beyond rooftops were not detailed
Different Views Huge Priority
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Gregory Campbell DUP
East Londonderry
Context
A major planning application for an offshore wind farm between Scotland and Northern Ireland could have significant implications for the Giant's Causeway world heritage site.
What discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Scottish Government regarding the major planning application for an offshore wind farm between Scotland and Northern Ireland, which may well have significant implications for the Giant's Causeway world heritage site?
The hon. Gentleman will understand that I have to be careful in what I say about planning issues, but he should rest assured that I have frequent conversations with my counterpart in the Scottish Government and, no doubt, that is one issue we will be discussing.
Assessment & feedback
Specific details on discussions about the wind farm's impact were not provided
Be Careful In What I Say No Doubt, That Is One Issue
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Matt Western Lab
Warwick and Leamington
Context
There have been numerous solar farm applications in Warwickshire, including one that may cause a 'loss of amenity'. The questioner proposes an alternative onshore wind turbine installation.
Warwick and Leamington must be one of the sunniest places in the United Kingdom given the flurry of applications we have had for solar farms. There is a “loss of amenity” caused by one application, but if that community were prepared to welcome onshore wind turbines, rather than a solar farm, would the Secretary of State or the Minister agree to support that? Will they meet me to discuss the issue?
Every planning application and development consent order is assessed on its merits. Importantly, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Streatham and Croydon North (Steve Reed), is polishing a land use framework which has long been needed in this country. It will set out the balance between food security, the use of renewable energy, the restoration of nature and the role of farming. I hope that will help with some of the issues that hon. Members are facing.
Assessment & feedback
Support for wind turbines or a meeting was not committed to
On Its Merits Land Use Framework
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Priti Patel Con
Witham
Context
The national grid needs upgrading, but there are local community concerns in the east of England about its impact.
The Secretary of State and the Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Rutherglen (Michael Shanks), have spoken passionately about the need to upgrade the national grid, but do they recognise the concerns of people across the east of England, including in the Witham constituency, about what that means for their local communities? The Under-Secretary has said that he will meet Members of Parliament, but I ask him very politely whether he and representatives and Ministers from the Department will also meet members of the communities that are affected by this matter.
I know from the questions that I have received from the Opposition that the right hon. Lady has been a tireless advocate on these issues. I do understand the concerns of local communities about clean energy infrastructure, which is why I am so keen on the idea of community benefit. It is important that communities receive benefit for hosting that infrastructure. We must have a discussion about this matter in the House and across the country.
Assessment & feedback
Specific meetings were not committed to
Tireless Advocate Community Benefit
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Context
The Government have announced carbon capture and hydrogen projects, raising questions about unionised labour involvement.
Last week's announcement on carbon capture and hydrogen in my constituency demonstrates that we now have a Government of substance, not of hollow slogans. What discussions have the Secretary of State and Ministers had with the trade unions to ensure that we build those facilities with unionised labour?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. After 14 years of failure and inaction, we now have a Government who believe in working with our trade unions, who have the backing of our trade unions, and who want to work to create good jobs in the industries of the future.
Assessment & feedback
Specific discussions were not detailed
Failure And Inaction Good Jobs
Response accuracy
Q19 Partial Answer
Tom Gordon Lib Dem
Harrogate and Knaresborough
Context
The Institution of Civil Engineers calls for a spatial energy plan to utilise new technologies for future net zero infrastructure planning.
The Institution of Civil Engineers has called for a spatial energy plan to utilise new and emerging technologies to facilitate future net zero infrastructure planning. Will the Government look to bring forward a spatial energy plan and meet me to discuss that?
Yes, we will be bringing forward a spatial energy plan. That is one of the responsibilities of the National Energy System Operator. The hon. Gentleman makes an important point: we need a plan for the system.
Assessment & feedback
Specific meetings were not committed to
Plan For The System
Response accuracy
Q20 Partial Answer
Oliver Ryan Ind
Burnley
Context
There are concerns about failed warm homes grants leading to cowboy workmanship and bad insulation in some areas.
The warm homes plan is excellent and much needed in towns such as mine, but on warm homes grants for insulation, during recess I met a large number of constituents who had been victims of failed insulation and cowboy workmanship under such Government schemes. Some are living in horrific conditions with useless warranties. Is the Minister aware of their plight? Will she ensure that regulation is strong enough, and will she meet me and victims to make sure that this never happens again?
I thank my hon. Friend for his question. We are aware of those cases of bad insulation and we are clear that we need to get a firmer grip on them. To persuade everyone that we should be insulating and upgrading all of our homes, we need the highest standard possible.
Assessment & feedback
Specific regulations or meeting were not committed to
Bad Insulation Firmer Grip
Response accuracy
Q21 Partial Answer
Clive Jones Lib Dem
Wokingham
Context
A new solar farm at Barkham will provide clean energy for more than 4,000 homes but there are concerns about delays in connecting to the national grid.
In my constituency, a new solar farm at Barkham is being delivered that will provide clean energy for more than 4,000 homes and provide a funding boost for Wokingham borough council. It will be connected in 2026, but there were concerns that connection to the grid could be delayed by 11 years. What steps will the Minister take to reduce similar delays, and does he think that the Government can meet their net zero targets if the new renewable energy infrastructure cannot be quickly connected to the grid?
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. A similar point has been raised by many hon. Members across the House. This issue affects areas right across the country. We are doing what we can at the moment to prioritise the connections queue, so that the most important projects, or those most able to be delivered, can move forward.
Assessment & feedback
Specific actions were not committed to
Prioritise The Connections Queue
Response accuracy