Topical Questions

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities, noting recent progress including the Energy Bill's Third Reading and record funding for renewable projects. She also mentions visits to key facilities like Culham Centre for Fusion Energy and the launch of the Great British insulation scheme.

Question

I welcome my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to her new role. She will be aware that the huge increase in offshore wind farms in the east of England has led to an unwelcome proposal from National Grid to put 100 miles of pylons across the area. We do not want that. We need an offshore solution. Will my right hon. Friend meet Members from the east of England to discuss this proposal?

Question

According to analysis by the Resolution Foundation, more than a third of British households face higher bills from the end of this month because of higher standing charges and the demise of the energy bills support scheme, and the people who use the least energy, and those in the poorest households, are disproportionately worse off. At the same time, the windfall tax has massive loopholes costing billions. Would not closing those loopholes and extending more help to people during the cost of living crisis be the right thing to do?

Question

The launch last week of the Great British insulation scheme was very welcome. So as to build on this and to kickstart a mass retrofitting revolution, will my hon. Friend liaise with the Treasury to obtain its support for the introduction of such fiscal measures as an energy-saving stamp duty and an employee benefits scheme similar to the cycle to work scheme?

Question

Energy companies have accumulated hundreds of pounds, if not over £1,000, in consumer credit. When those companies go into administration, the company taking over does not honour that credit and people often with very little means have lost hundreds or thousands of pounds. How will the Minister ensure that they get compensation and get credited by the new company with the amount of money they have lost?

Question

Energy from waste requires burning waste and it is therefore not conducive to net zero. The expansion of the Beddington incinerator in my constituency is not needed to meet local demand, so can my right hon. Friend assure me that the Environment Agency will take that into account before making a decision on whether or not to license?

Question

In the Select Committee inquiry into preparations for this winter, one of the repeated calls that we have heard from expert witnesses is to support the vulnerable and fuel poor with a social tariff. Will the Minister do that?

Question

Recent investment in electric vehicle charging and the EV supply chain shows the benefit of the Government setting clear targets so that the private sector has the confidence to invest. Does my right hon. Friend agree that if we had similar policy consistency across the whole of the economy, we would see greater investment in green growth and in meeting decarbonisation by 2050?

Question

The Lib Dem amendment to tackle flaring, venting and leaking of methane was selected for a separate vote but rejected. Why did his Government vote it down?

Question

The hydrogen industry welcomes a production business model but faces barriers without a storage and transportation business model by 2025. Can my right hon Friend give clarity on sequencing?

Question

Biodiesel producers in my constituency face cheap Chinese imports because of the Government's decision to award them inward processing relief. This makes it difficult to support UK industry, so can we have an explanation?

Question

The Prime Minister promised not to lose swathes of good farmland to solar farms, yet vast areas are open for planning, affecting whole villages and high-grade land. Will my right hon Friend meet me?

Question

With almost 20% of housing stock being pre-1919, what plan does the Department have to improve skill levels in retrofitting these buildings?

Question

I welcome my right hon Friend. Given that oil and gas play a vital role in energy security, and with 90% transferable skills to renewables, does he share disappointment at SNP's vow?

Question

We need increased electric arc capacity to reprocess more scrap steel but Trostre tinplate packaging works needs specific steel production until green technologies are developed. Will you invest in developing these at Port Talbot?

Question

A decade ago, the onshore wind industry committed to providing £5,000 per MW installed annually to communities for wind scheme duration. Solar developers have refused a similar commitment. Does my right hon Friend agree compensation must be equal?

Question

My constituent Lee Haywood and his neighbours saw their price per kWh double last winter. What protection can the Minister offer to prevent price increases as we approach another winter?

Question

Do the Government think we are on track to meet our 2050 net zero targets? Will we meet that target? Do the Government care?

Question

I received a text from our local hospice leadership: 'No additional support for energy costs. Prices up but statutory support unchanged... Hospices UK lobbied for support to no avail... Operating 24/7 with heating on year-round in Cumbria's winters.' When will bespoke support schemes be provided?