Energy-intensive Industries 2023-11-28
2023-11-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises due to the government's commitment to support early development of CCUS and industrial energy transformation fund, but there are concerns about its actual implementation.
What steps her Department is taking to help energy-intensive industries to decarbonise. Sheffield has a proud history of steelmaking, supporting thousands of jobs today, but repeated failures by this Government mean families worry about the future of the industry and livelihoods dependent on it. Will the Minister commit to giving this vital sector support for decarbonisation?
The Government are committed to engaging with companies across the UK to support their decarbonisation efforts and deliver secure, high-wage jobs for the future. We are supporting Tata Steel's investment of £1.25 billion, including a UK Government grant worth up to £500 million in a new electric arc furnace.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not directly commit to ensuring a green and sustainable future for the steel industry as requested.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
There are ongoing closures of energy-intensive companies in Tees Valley, citing high energy costs compared to competitors abroad. The region lost steelmaking and ammonia manufacturing plants recently.
The Tees Valley hosts a huge number of energy-intensive industries but has seen recent closures due to higher than competitive European and American energy costs. What are Ministers doing to prevent further closures as a result of policy failures?
We are engaging with the steel industry on its sustainable future, including Tata Steel's investment in a new electric arc furnace worth £1.25 billion, supported by a UK Government grant of up to £500 million.
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Assessment & feedback
The answerer did not address preventing further closures due to high energy costs.
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
There is ongoing concern about the future of steelmaking in Sheffield due to repeated government failures, with thousands of jobs dependent on it.
To this day, steel supports thousands of jobs in Sheffield. Will the Minister commit to giving this vital sector support for decarbonisation and ensuring a green, sustainable, and prosperous future?
Yes, I can give that commitment because we are already engaging in work with companies up and down the UK to ensure they can decarbonise and deliver secure, high-wage jobs for the future.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
There is ongoing support for CCUS projects, such as the Acorn project in David Duguid's constituency.
Does my hon. Friend agree that CCUS needs to be developed across the UK at pace? Does he recognise the particular value of new CCUS power stations like the planned 900 MW emission-free plant in Peterhead?
Yes, I agree that CCUS needs to be developed at pace across the UK, including supporting power CCUS plants by the mid-2020s. Power CCUS will be vital for our route to net zero.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
There are significant steps to support industrial clusters around the UK, each at different stages of development with close 2030 targets and billions in investment.
The Government are taking steps to support industrial clusters. What engagement is my hon. Friend undertaking to discuss investment plans with businesses to meet the target and use latest technologies?
We are engaging with companies daily, inspecting their investment plans to ensure they fit this country's future needs and will deliver ambitious world-leading targets for decarbonisation and jobs.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy