Topical Questions 2023-11-28
2023-11-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP inquired about the department's recent activities and progress since the last appearance at departmental questions.
If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. Since my last appearance at departmental questions in September, what developments have there been?
Since my last appearance at departmental questions in September, we have shown that Britain remains open for business. Through our announcement on AR6, we have taken the next steps towards 50 GW of offshore wind energy. We have announced £960 million of investment in advanced manufacturing for key net zero sectors, including offshore wind networks, carbon capture, usage and storage, hydrogen and nuclear. We have set out the most radical plans to update the grid since the 1950s. I have signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea to ensure closer co-operation on nuclear and offshore wind, bringing in £10 billion as well.
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Assessment & feedback
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Concerns have been raised about the potential carbon leakage risks for the ceramics industry under the emissions trading scheme.
Given the success of exempting the ceramics sector from the climate change levy, and the risks of carbon leakage from offshoring the industry, will my right hon. Friend seriously consider exempting the ceramics sector from the emissions trading scheme?
I know that my hon. Friend is a long-standing champion of the ceramics sector. The sector receives free allocations under the ETS, reducing carbon price exposure and mitigating its risk of carbon leakage. The Government are reviewing the free allocations policy and will consult this year to ensure that we effectively support at-risk industries.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to exempting ceramics from the emissions trading scheme, only stated a review is ongoing
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Q3
Partial Answer
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Lord Stern recently criticized the UK Government for backsliding on climate action, which could harm the country's reputation and leadership.
The world sorely needs leadership at COP28, but the verdict of our most globally respected climate expert, Lord Stern, earlier this month was damning. He said that the Government's backsliding on climate action is a “deeply damaging mistake”—damaging for the UK, the world and the future of us all. Will the Secretary of State take this opportunity to place on record her response to Lord Stern?
The right hon. Gentleman should understand that we have the most ambitious climate target of any of our international peers. If he looks at the delivery today, he will see that we overshot on carbon budgets 1 and 2, and we are on track to overshoot on carbon budget 3. In fact, the UN gap report showed just last week that between 2015 and 2030 the UK is expected to reduce emissions at the fastest rate of any of the G20 countries.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address Lord Stern's criticism, instead highlighted achievements in reducing emissions
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Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The Government's inconsistency regarding climate change, such as preaching to phase out fossil fuels abroad but promoting domestic coal mining and oil drilling.
The Secretary of State has no response to Lord Stern. The problem is that he sees a Government preaching one thing and doing another. Her negotiators at COP will argue to phase out fossil fuels, but she wants to drill every last drop at home and open new coalmines. She will tell developing countries that climate action is good for the economy, but the Government use climate delay to divide people here at home. Does she not realise that climate hypocrisy just trashes our reputation and undermines our leadership?
I completely reject that characterisation. At COP28, we will be talking about the UK's leadership when it comes to cutting emissions. We had cut emissions more than any of our international peers by 1990. Even if we look forward to our targets for 2030, we see that we will still be cutting emissions by more than any of our international peers. That is something that the right hon. Gentleman would do well to welcome.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address inconsistency in approach, focused on past and future emission reductions instead
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Q5
Direct Answer
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There are concerns that the classification of agricultural land can be artificially downgraded to accommodate new solar farms, potentially harming agricultural productivity.
Paragraph 3.10.14 of the National Policy Framework Statement EN-3 states that new solar farms should avoid the use of 'best and most versatile' agricultural land where possible, using the designations of the agricultural land classifications. But there are concerns that field surveys can artificially downgrade land. Will my right hon. Friend say that both she and the planning inspectorate will be vigilant in protecting best and most versatile land and in ensuring the integrity of land classification?
I thank my hon. Friend for all his work championing both this area and the concerns of his constituents. As he rightly says, planning policy and guidance encourage large solar projects to locate on previously developed or lower value land and we will indeed undertake to be vigilant in ensuring that those principles are respected.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK has fallen to seventh place behind the US and Germany in attracting green investment according to Ernst & Young's analysis.
Given the UK's decline under this Government to seventh place behind the US and Germany in attracting green investment as per Ernst and Young's analysis, what urgent steps is the Secretary of State taking to boost our competitiveness in green industries?
The hypocrisy and the ignorance coming from the Labour party is extraordinary. We have decarbonised more than any major economy on this earth and we will decarbonise more to 2030, and we are doing it by unlocking a level of investment into renewable energy double that we have seen in the United States. So, Labour can take its selective facts and put them where the sun don't shine.
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
The Wylfa site in the constituency of Ynys Môn is a potential candidate for large-scale nuclear projects.
What plans do the UK Government have to buy the Wylfa site and associated intellectual property from Horizon to expedite gigawatt development at Wylfa in my constituency of Ynys Mòn? Will the nuclear roadmap lay out a clear role for large gigawatt-scale nuclear projects like Wylfa after Sizewell C?
It would not be Energy questions without a question on Wylfa from my hon. Friend, who is such a champion for that technology and for her constituency. We all agree that Wylfa is a great candidate for new nuclear and one of several potential sites that could host new projects—[Interruption.] Ignore the luddites on the SNP Benches. As a first step towards a new national policy statement, the Government will consult later this year on a way forward to determine how new nuclear developments might be located.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to purchasing Wylfa site from Horizon or include it in future plans explicitly
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
In Scotland, one in three households is living in fuel poverty, raising the need for a social tariff to alleviate this condition.
In energy-rich Scotland, roughly one in three households in my constituency is living in fuel poverty. A properly designed social tariff would at least alleviate some of that poverty. Why have the Government broken their promise of a year ago to consult on a social tariff?
As my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State indicated earlier, a social tariff can mean different things to different people. We are consulting suppliers and many stakeholders to ensure that what we are doing is the right thing. We are also looking at flexibility around the warm home discount.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not explain why consultation was delayed or broken promise, only stated ongoing work on social tariff
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Q9
Partial Answer
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The Minister has repeatedly promised a decision on hydrogen blending but no action has been taken.
In February, the Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero assured me from the Dispatch Box that a decision on hydrogen blending was coming soon. Seven months later, in September, the Department's consultation again promised that a decision would come soon. How can our constituents trust that this Government know what they are doing when they keep dithering over proven technology that would cut our carbon emissions, our constituents' energy bills and our dependence on foreign gas imports?
The Government aim to reach a strategic policy decision before the end of the year on whether to support blending of up to 20% hydrogen by volume into the GB gas distribution networks. We are building the evidence to determine whether blending offers strategic and economic value and meets the required safety standards.
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Assessment & feedback
The timeframe and specific measures for implementation were not provided
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Q10
Partial Answer
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There are currently no planning applications in the pipeline for onshore wind in England.
On the subject of facts, my hon. Friend the Member for Southampton, Test (Dr Whitehead) just said that there are currently zero planning applications in the pipeline for onshore wind in England. Can the Minister please confirm whether that is true?
As I have said in earlier answers, we are seeking to encourage more applications. As far as I know, the hon. Member for Southampton, Test (Dr Whitehead) may be right, which is exactly why we are consulting on improving community benefits and have consulted on changing the planning system.
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Assessment & feedback
No confirmation of the statement's accuracy or measures to increase applications was provided
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Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
Fishermen are concerned about the effect of expanding offshore on fish stocks. The constituency wants to focus on tidal energy.
I welcome the fact that the UK is doing more offshore wind than any other country in Europe, but fishermen in Leigh-on-Sea are deeply concerned about the effect of expanding offshore on fish stocks. Can the Minister assure me that renewable power production on the south Essex coast will also focus on tidal, and will he join my vision to make Southend pier a shining beacon of renewables, completely powered by tidal energy?
I share my hon. Friend's enthusiasm for tidal. We have had a specific pot in previous rounds of the CfD precisely to develop that. We are the world leader in deployment and will continue to be, and I hope that her vision for her local area will be fulfilled.
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Assessment & feedback
No assurance on focusing renewable power production on tidal was given
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Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The number of homes being upgraded through eco schemes has collapsed in the north-east.
Over the past year, the north-east has seen a dramatic collapse in the number of homes being upgraded through the Government's sustainable warmth and eco schemes. That poor record is costing households in my constituency dearly. What is the Minister going to do to put it right?
I have previously answered questions on that and indicated that we have committed to making sure that we eradicate fuel poverty and support all people with their energy bills.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions were mentioned
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Q13
Partial Answer
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There is significant nuclear research and development in Greater Manchester.
With organisations such as the Dalton Nuclear Institute and the University of Bolton Institute for Materials Research and Innovation, combined with the Greater Manchester vision for “Atom Valley”, will my hon. Friend update the House on the part that it will play in Britain's nuclear future?
I thank my hon. Friend for his continued support for this growing and important sector. Alongside the work of the nuclear skills taskforce, we are currently in phase B of our advanced modular reactor research, development and demonstration programme. We aim to demonstrate that technology by the 2030s to decarbonise industry and we welcome his support in that work.
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Assessment & feedback
No update on Greater Manchester's specific role was provided
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Q14
Partial Answer
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Bids for funding to support developments by industry players on the Tyne were unsuccessful.
As part of the recent floating offshore wind manufacturing investment scheme, ambitious and comprehensive bids for funding to support developments by three major industry players on the Tyne were unsuccessful. Will the Minister meet me and those key Tyne businesses to discuss what further opportunities the Department can bring to mobilise the high-quality assets of our great river?
The Government are collaborating with industry to identify solutions to unblock barriers to offshore wind deployment. I know that the UK Infrastructure Bank is providing support to the Port of Tyne. The FLOWMIS project is currently live, so I cannot comment on it, but I would be happy to meet the hon. Lady to discuss these issues.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific commitment for a meeting was given
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Q15
Partial Answer
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The hon. Friend wants the electricity system operator to publish its survey of the Bradwell site.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made a lot of progress in trying to bring together a holistic network, but it is too late for communities in Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex. In that regard, will she request that the electricity system operator publishes its survey of the Bradwell site, and that it undertakes a fresh one, with a full cost-benefit analysis, as a pilot for future connections?
As my right hon. Friend knows, the ESO has conducted an investigation into Bradwell and its suitability, but I am happy to meet her again to discuss Bradwell, the location of future projects, and how we might work together to ensure that her constituents see the benefits of any future energy infrastructure built in that part of the country.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment for publication or new survey was given
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Q16
Partial Answer
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The Government plan to commit funds for loss and damage from existing climate finance commitments.
It now seems clear that the funds that the Government plan to commit to loss and damage at COP28 will come from the UK's existing climate finance commitments. We cannot tackle the climate crisis by robbing Peter to pay Paul. Given that a properly resourced and operational loss and damage finance fund has to be a litmus test of success, will the Minister commit to looking at new and additional forms of funding, including a permanent windfall tax on fossil fuel companies and a tax on high-emission travel, to deliver new finance and make polluters pay?
The hon. Lady is right to highlight loss and damage as we approach COP28. We were pleased to play our part on the transitional committee in getting a recommendation to COP, and we look forward to its being operationalised in the near future. I agree with her that, if we are to get the scale of finance that is required, particularly for the most vulnerable countries at the front end, we need to look at innovative ways of adding to that finance.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment to specific new forms of funding was made
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Q17
Partial Answer
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Wind energy projects have a standard community benefits scheme, but solar projects do not.
Wind energy projects have a standard compensation scheme for all local communities, but solar projects do not. Industry will not act, so I urge my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to bring in a standard measure for all solar projects to bring fairness to clean energy in our communities.
I thank my hon. Friend for her question and for pursuing this matter assiduously; we have met and discussed it, among other issues. I think both industry and communities would appreciate greater clarity about community benefits, and I look forward to discussing that with her further.
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Assessment & feedback
No commitment to introducing a standard scheme was given
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Q18
Partial Answer
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One in four households in the constituency is experiencing fuel poverty, compared to a national average of one in ten. Gas and oil companies are making billions in profits while constituents struggle.
Why do the Government continue to give millions to gas and oil giants which enjoy billions in bumper profits while our constituents continue to be dragged into poverty?
Oil and gas production supports 200,000 jobs and is expected to raise £50 billion of tax over the next five years. The safety of constituents would be at risk if these funds were cut, according to the government.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about the continuation of financial support for oil giants while constituents suffer from fuel poverty; this was not directly addressed.
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Q19
Partial Answer
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The question relates to the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) near Sellafield, a major nuclear facility.
Do my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and the Minister for Nuclear and Networks agree that the very best location for two 470 MW Rolls-Royce SMRs is next to Sellafield?
We are developing a national policy statement for planning new nuclear power beyond 2025 and remain open to all technologies that deliver energy goals. We have visited Sellafield recently and aim to deploy up to 24 GW of nuclear energy by 2050.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about the specific location for SMRs near Sellafield; the response did not directly confirm or deny this site as ideal.
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Q20
Partial Answer
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The emissions trading scheme is expected to generate £6.2 billion, while the steel and aluminium sectors face significant challenges due to stringent net-zero regulations.
This year, receipts from the emissions trading scheme will reach a new peak of £6.2 billion. The effects of attacks on energy-intensive industries are felt by workers in the aluminium and steel industries, and this week by workers at Grangemouth, where one of our few remaining oil refineries is going to close. Is it not a fact that net zero policies are destroying these industries?
Following COP26, 90% of global wealth is covered by net zero pledges. Future-proofing British jobs requires supporting the decarbonisation programme, contrary to opposing it.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about the impact of net-zero policies on industries; the response did not address this issue and instead focused on the direction of global policy trends.
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Q21
Partial Answer
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The Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) is due to end in 2027, and there is uncertainty about what will replace it.
Melton CLP has of the biggest sites in Hyndburn and Haslingden. The ROC is due to end in 2027, and certainty is needed on whether the scheme will be extended or another scheme will take its place. Will the Minister give us some assurances as to what comes next?
Mindful of how loquacious I am, I simply say to my hon. Friend that I will meet her to discuss the matter.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for assurances about future renewable energy schemes; the response did not provide substantive information but proposed a meeting.
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Q22
Partial Answer
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Over the past year, living in a cold home cost 21 of the constituent's lives. Rural homes are more difficult to insulate compared to urban ones.
Over the space of a year, living in a cold home cost 21 of my constituents their lives. One reason behind that tragic figure is that homes in rural communities are more difficult to insulate. Will the Minister urgently review ECO4 and ECO+ guidelines to prioritise the hardest properties to insulate so that we cut bills and save lives?
I will have a meeting with the hon. Gentleman to discuss this issue further because the Government are committed to supporting all vulnerable people, including those with disabilities and additional needs.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for an urgent review of energy efficiency guidelines; the response did not address the specific ask but proposed a meeting instead.
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