Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 18 April 2023 · 18 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 10 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Jack Brereton asked about the decoupling of electricity and gas prices; the response stated that the department is reviewing the electricity market to address this issue.
  • Ed Miliband criticized the announcement on prepayment meters as insufficient for medium-risk groups; the response indicated that the government would review the matter further if needed.
  • James Duddridge inquired about incentives for onshore wind farms on Potton and Foulness islands; the response noted that a consultation will be issued soon to enable communities to benefit from new infrastructure through local energy discounts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jack Brereton Con
Climate Energy
Context

The question follows an initial meeting and asks for updates on departmental initiatives.

Question

If he will make a statement on his departmental responsibilities. Since we last met, the Department has been active in publishing documents such as 'Powering up Britain'. Will he provide further details?

Answer from Grant Shapps

Since our previous meeting, the Department has published the 'Powering up Britain' document. I have been in South Korea and Japan negotiating with G7 partners an update to the climate energy security plan. We are leading on green transition issues.

Answered
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Q2 Jack Brereton Con
Energy
Context

The issue of tying electricity costs to gas prices is deterring investment in electrical technologies.

Question

Energy costs remain a major concern for many businesses. The connection between electricity and gas prices raises energy prices unnecessarily, deterring investment in electrical technologies. When will the decoupling of electricity and gas prices happen?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The decoupling of electricity and gas prices is a complex matter. We are reviewing the electricity market, including standing costs allocated between gas and electricity, to achieve the desired outcome.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or date for decoupling

How: This Decoupling Is A Particularly Complex Matter

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Q3 Ed Miliband Lab Doncaster North
Energy
Context

The new rules on prepayment meters ban forced installations for only a narrow group.

Question

Today's announcement on prepayment meters is not good enough. It does not cover the medium-risk group, which includes individuals with specific health conditions and elderly people. How has the Secretary of State allowed this to happen?

Answer from Grant Shapps

We have moved fast on prepayment meters, but we will keep this matter under review and go further if required. The same rules were in place when Labour was in power for 13 years.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or measures to protect all vulnerable customers

How: The Same Rules Were In Place When Labour Was In Power

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Q4 Ed Miliband Lab Doncaster North
Energy
Context

Medium-risk groups are left to the discretion of energy companies under current rules.

Question

There is a high-risk group with forced installation bans, but medium-risk groups remain unprotected. Will the Secretary of State instruct Ofgem to keep the ban in place until he meets his promise?

Answer from Grant Shapps

We welcome today's Ofgem announcement, which I asked them to make. We need to address financial management issues through meter installation measures.

Not addressed: Commitment to instruct Ofgem on ban continuation

How: Asking Ofgem For Voluntary Agreement

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Q5 James Duddridge Con
Climate Energy
Context

The community would like to see incentives for onshore wind farm development.

Question

Potton island and Foulness island want to see onshore wind farms. What incentives can the Government provide?

Answer from Graham Stuart

The Government will issue a consultation soon on onshore wind partnerships to enable supportive communities to benefit from new infrastructure through local energy discounts, community projects, etc.

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Q6 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Climate Energy
Context

Energy-intensive industries need support in transitioning to a low carbon economy.

Question

Vauxhall van plant in Luton South needs Government support. The 'green day' announcement was weak on CCS and nuclear, with no new money for industry. Why are the Government failing to help decarbonise our motor manufacturing?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

We have announced £20 million investment in CCUS, extended IETF with over £2 billion since 2013, and confirmed winners of the net zero hydrogen fund worth up to £240 million.

Answered
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Q7 Peter Aldous Con
Economy Climate Energy
Context

Maximising investment in renewables is vital for coastal communities.

Question

Maximising investment in renewables is crucial for bringing new jobs to coastal communities like Lowestoft. Can my right hon. Friend confirm he is working with the Treasury on a comprehensive fiscal strategy including tax incentives and port measures?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We always work closely with Treasury colleagues, launched FLOWMIS worth up to £160 million for port infrastructure investment, and spring Budget set out plans for refocused investment zones programme across UK.

Answered
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Q8 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Climate
Context

The Petra Nova carbon capture facility failed to meet expectations, achieving only 7% emissions reduction over three years and allowing continued fossil fuel extraction. The US example highlights the risk of ineffective UK investments.

Question

I am concerned about the effectiveness of CCUS projects such as Petra Nova in the US which achieved only 7% carbon capture over three years while continuing to extract fossil fuels. How can we ensure that Government investment goes only to truly net zero projects?

Answer from Graham Stuart

The hon. Lady is right to highlight the technical challenges. The Labour Government said in 2003 that CCUS implementation was urgent, and no one thinks there is a route to 2050 without CCUS. It is important not only to make investments but also to ensure they are compatible with the highest possible capture percentage.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures were not outlined for ensuring investments align with true net zero goals.

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Q9 Paul Holmes Con Hamble Valley
Housing
Context

Residents in Eastleigh Borough are facing delays in receiving Government support for park homes due to issues with council access to systems.

Question

The Government's commitment is welcome, but residents are still waiting for their payments. Will the Minister ensure officials speak to Eastleigh Borough Council today and commit to writing an update on what went wrong?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

All councils able to participate in the scheme have received funding, 99% are onboarded, and 95% are processing claims. However, we need to understand the issue with Eastleigh Borough Council and I will update my hon. Friend as soon as possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Immediate engagement commitment was not made; only a promise for future update.

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Q10 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
NHS Energy
Context

Ofcom's recent measures are seen as insufficient to protect vulnerable groups from prepayment meter issues.

Question

Why is the Secretary of State not addressing the protection of vulnerable groups like those with Alzheimer's, under-fives and over-75s but under 85 years old who face difficulties due to prepayment meters?

Answer from Grant Shapps

Ofgem is in charge of measures that will help protect people. When a person's payments are in deficit, they need a way out. The hon. Lady seems to prefer immediate court actions rather than prepayment meters.

Not addressed: Avoided explaining why specific protections for vulnerable groups are not being implemented; instead discussed alternative solutions.

How: Changed Subject

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Q11 Martin Vickers Con Brigg and Immingham
Energy
Context

The Humber region has attracted significant private investment in carbon capture, yet none of these projects were included in track 1.

Question

Is the Minister able to provide clarity for the private sector on why their investments in CCUS projects are not being considered?

Answer from Grant Shapps

My hon. Friend is correct; there was a competitive £20 billion fund, HyNet won on the east coast. The Humber cluster will be included in track 1 expansion and track 2 later this year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide reasons for excluding specific projects; only confirmed future plans.

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Q12 John Spellar Lab
Energy Business & Trade
Context

British industry has a long history of supplying SMNRs to the Royal Navy, yet the current Government is going through an international competition.

Question

Why is the Minister conducting a so-called international competition instead of backing British engineering and workers in small modular nuclear reactors?

Answer from Grant Shapps

This Government are moving ahead with Great British Nuclear, funding Rolls-Royce with £210 million and starting a competition now to select a winner in the autumn.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why there is a delay; only stated actions being taken.

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Q13 Maria Miller Con
Environment
Context

National Fire Chiefs Council expresses concerns about the use of lithium-ion storage facilities for renewable energy distribution.

Question

Will the Government review existing fire and environmental regulations to address these deep concerns over risks associated with lithium-ion battery storage systems?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

Grid-scale lithium-ion batteries are covered by robust regulatory frameworks, ensuring product safety before and after market placement. I am meeting my right hon. Friend this week to discuss these issues further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment to a review was made; only mentioned discussing the matter.

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Q14 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

There are concerns about the effectiveness of current measures to address fuel poverty, including threats of court action and installation of smart meters.

Question

When will he stop passing responsibility for addressing fuel poverty to Ofgem and start actively supporting vulnerable people?

Answer from Amanda Solloway

The Government are looking at issues around prepayment meters but have provided £400 of support through vouchers for vulnerable individuals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to a change in strategy; only mentioned current efforts and past actions.

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Q15 Mark Pawsey Con
Housing Energy
Context

Residents prioritise energy bill sizes when purchasing new homes, highlighting the importance of thermal efficiency.

Question

Does the Minister agree that house builders should promote the thermal efficiency of their products given the importance placed by buyers on energy bills?

Answer from Graham Stuart

I entirely agree; this is why we set up the energy efficiency taskforce to work with industry for a transformed situation from 2010, accelerating progress.

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Q16 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Energy Environment
Context

The Liberal Democrat MP highlighted the government's failure to invest in renewables and home insulation after 2015, leading to increased fuel poverty among constituents. This winter, residents struggle with expensive carbon fuels and experience higher rates of mould.

Question

More than once this morning those on the Government Benches have congratulated themselves on the home insulation figures, but those figures could and should have been so much more impressive, if, after 2015, this Government had not abandoned Liberal Democrat policies to invest in renewables and insulate homes. The impact of that on my constituents has been fuel poverty. This winter, they are struggling to heat their homes, with still expensive carbon fuels, and there is a growing incidence of mould. When will the Government recognise that emergency insulation is needed?

Answer from Grant Shapps

We have worked very hard on making sure that homes are insulated. We have just announced another £1 billion for the Great British insulation campaign, which makes £12.5 billion over this Parliament and into the next one for insulation. That is one reason why nearly half of homes are now insulated, whereas the figure when Labour was in power was only 14%.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Emergency insulation needs were not specifically addressed.

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Q17 Peter Gibson
Housing Energy
Context

The MP welcomed the £12 million from the social housing decarbonisation fund for Darlington, which will help cut heating costs and carbon emissions and reduce fuel poverty among constituents.

Question

I welcome the £12 million from the social housing decarbonisation fund and the home upgrade grant for Darlington, which will help cut heating costs and carbon emissions, and reduce fuel poverty for my constituents. May I invite the Minister to visit the fantastic Darlington economic campus, where some of his team are situated?

Answer from Andrew Bowie

I am very glad to hear about the successful funding bids in my hon. Friend's constituency. These schemes will improve homes up and down the country, improving their energy efficiency and lowering energy bills. I am delighted to accept the invitation to visit the Darlington economic campus, although I can confirm that I have already visited it and was incredibly impressed by the calibre of the individuals working there to drive forward our ambition—

Not addressed: The specific ask for a visit was not addressed as he had already visited.

How: Although I Can Confirm That I Have Already Visited It And Was Incredibly Impressed By The Calibre Of The Individuals Working There To Drive Forward Our Ambition

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Q18 Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
Climate Environment
Context

The MP highlighted the importance of including the Humber cluster in carbon capture initiatives, given its responsibility for 40% of all industrial emissions in the country. The cluster brings £15 billion-worth of private investment.

Question

With the Humber estuary responsible for 40% of all industrial emissions in this country, it beggars belief that it was not included in the track 1 for carbon capture. Will the Minister now guarantee that the Humber cluster will be included in the expansion that he just talked about, as it brings £15 billion-worth of private investment with it?

Answer from Grant Shapps

The right hon. Lady is absolutely right about the potential of the Humber cluster. I want to put that on the record, as well as the fact that track 1 and track 2 announcements will be made later this year. It is perhaps a testament to the amount of competition for carbon capture, usage and storage that this country has sufficient space to store 78 billion tonnes of carbon, which is the equivalent of about 200 years of all Europe's carbon being stored in the North sea. There is just heavy competition for where it goes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The guarantee was not provided for including Humber cluster in expansion.

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