Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Winter Preparedness

Thursday 8 December 2022 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Cabinet Office has established processes and risk assessments for winter preparedness.
  • The Cabinet Office is closely monitoring power networks and their resilience during winter.
  • The Cabinet Office coordinates with local resilience forums and local authorities to ensure proper communication and action.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Peter Aldous Con
Parliamentary Procedure
Context

The question is prompted by the need to ensure effective delivery of key services over winter.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to support the operation of public services during the winter months?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The Cabinet Office has well-established processes underpinned by comprehensive risk assessments and contingency plans for industrial action and severe weather. The national resilience framework will be the first iteration of a new strategic approach, strengthening systems and capabilities for UK resilience.

Answered
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Q2 Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme
Energy Environment
Context

The question arises from concerns about the UK's power supply resilience, especially in anticipation of freezing temperatures.

Question

Will the Minister urgently explain to my vulnerable constituents what they should do to remain safe and warm in the event of a power blackout during freezing cold temperatures?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The hon. Gentleman's concerns are noted. The Cabinet Office is monitoring the situation closely. In case of a very exceptional circumstance, the Government has strong confidence in the resilience of UK power networks.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Providing specific advice for constituents during blackouts was not addressed.

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Q3 Peter Aldous Con
Parliamentary Procedure Local Government
Context

The question is raised to understand the role of Cabinet Office in winter planning coordination.

Question

What is the role of the Cabinet Office in ensuring that Government Departments are properly co-ordinated, in both their communications and their actions, with local resilience forums and local authorities?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

My hon. Friend is right that this is central to the Cabinet Office's role. We continually watch for risks, support Departments with contingency plans, and work closely with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to share intelligence on those risks.

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Q4 Fleur Anderson Lab Putney
Context

The question stems from the delay in publishing the national resilience strategy promised after the integrated review and summer ministerial changes.

Question

Can he tell us when to expect this very important strategy?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

The framework is receiving cross-Government agreement and I hope to publish it shortly. We have completed three out of seven initial deliverables, with a UK resilience forum meeting scheduled early in the new year.

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Q5 Brendan O'Hara SNP Argyll, Bute and South Lochaber
Energy
Context

The question is prompted by concerns about energy resilience amid the arrival of winter.

Question

Can the Minister tell me what his Department is actually doing to ensure that families will not be without power this winter? What advice will the Government be issuing to people, should the worst happen?

Answer from Oliver Dowden

We continually test our plans. The Business Secretary and I are confident in power networks. Over £50 billion of support has been provided to control energy bills this winter, highlighting the benefits of a United Kingdom approach over an independent Scotland's.

Not addressed: Providing specific advice or actions for ensuring families do not go without power was deflected by discussing the benefits of UK unity.

How: Discussing Strengths Of Uk Unity

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