Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Battery Sector

Thursday 29 June 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government's 541 million Faraday battery challenge has supported more than 140 organisations and enabled 500 researchers across over 25 universities to improve and develop battery technologies.
  • Yes, it is vital for the Government to grasp the opportunity at Blyth for new green jobs, and they continue to work closely with the local authority to secure the best outcome for that site.
  • The Secretary of State agrees that hydrogen is one of the viable ways to help achieve net zero, and the Government are looking at all possible options to support cutting-edge technology for the green transition.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Levy
Science & Technology Business & Trade
Context

The UK needs more battery production facilities to achieve net zero and build a competitive automotive industry.

Question

What steps is the Department taking to support the battery sector? I recently visited Williams Advanced Engineering, an excellent example of British engineers working at the cutting edge of battery technology. The Government's £541 million Faraday battery challenge has supported more than 140 organisations and attracted over £400 million in co-investment.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Government's £541 million Faraday battery challenge has supported more than 140 organisations working across the UK, attracting over £400 million in co-investment, and enabled 500 researchers across more than 25 universities to improve and develop battery technologies.

Answered
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Q2 Ian Levy
Economy Climate Energy
Context

Blyth estuary is considered the best site in the UK for high-volume battery manufacturing due to its green power supplies, deep-water port, and skilled workforce.

Question

Does the Minister agree that it is vital for this Government to grasp the opportunity of Blyth estuary for new green jobs? Blyth has an excellent location for a gigafactory. We have green power supplies, a deep-water port, and a talented and willing workforce.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

Yes, I do agree that it is vital for this Government to grasp the opportunity at Blyth. We continue to work closely with the local authority to secure the best outcome for that site.

Answered
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Q3 Barry Sheerman Lab
Climate Energy
Context

JCB has developed a hydrogen combustion engine for heavy vehicles that is showing promising results.

Question

Will the Secretary of State encourage the production of hydrogen and visit JCB to see their innovative work on hydrogen? I recently visited JCB, which has developed a hydrogen combustion engine that works well with heavy vehicles. Hydrogen is moving very fast indeed. Will she stop the Transport Minister in the House of Lords dissing hydrogen as ineffective?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that hydrogen is one of the viable ways to help us achieve net zero. The Government are looking at all possible options to support cutting-edge technology for our green transition.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address visiting JCB or stopping the Transport Minister in the House of Lords from dissing hydrogen.

How: Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom, Government Is Looking At All Options

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