Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Emissions Trading Scheme: Ferry Services

Thursday 14 December 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial assessment of the UK emissions trading scheme's impact on domestic ferry services is underway.
  • Concerns from the shipping industry about the potential negative effects on lifeline ferry services are acknowledged.
  • The clean maritime plan is being refreshed to include a wide range of evidence from various stakeholders.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Transport Climate
Context

Concerns have been raised that the UK emissions trading scheme may negatively affect domestic ferry services, impacting local industries in Orkney and Shetland. The EU has provided derogation until 2030 for lifeline ferry services.

Question

If he will make an assessment with Cabinet colleagues of the potential impact of the UK emissions trading scheme on domestic ferry services. I am grateful to the Minister for that answer. He may be aware that there are many in the shipping industry who are concerned that including lifeline ferry services, such as those that serve my constituency, in the emissions trading scheme could hinder rather than help the process of decarbonisation. The EU has already recognised that by giving its lifeline ferry services a derogation until 2030. Will the shipping Minister—I know it is not this Minister's responsibility—engage with operators in Scotland and elsewhere to ensure that we are not hit by the law of unintended consequences?

Answer from Anthony Browne

I very much welcome that question. The right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland is a doughty champion for ferries in those islands and I know how important ferry services are for residents there. We have been very careful, across our transport decarbonisation plan, not to damage industries or sectors. We have given many billions of pounds in support for the whole range of different transport sectors and domestic ferries are very much a part of that. I am very happy to engage with the sector and to meet him to ensure that the ferries can carry on transporting passengers throughout Orkney, Shetland and elsewhere in the British Isles.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not provide a specific commitment to engage directly with operators despite being asked to do so.

How: We Have Been Very Careful, I Am Very Happy To Engage

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Q2 Alistair Carmichael Lib Dem Orkney and Shetland
Transport Climate
Context

The EU has already recognised concerns over the impact of emissions trading schemes on lifeline ferry services by providing derogation until 2030. Concerns have been raised about unintended consequences for UK domestic ferries.

Question

I am grateful to the Minister for that answer. He may be aware that there are many in the shipping industry who are concerned that including lifeline ferry services, such as those that serve my constituency, in the emissions trading scheme could hinder rather than help the process of decarbonisation. The EU has already recognised that by giving its lifeline ferry services a derogation until 2030. Will the shipping Minister—I know it is not this Minister's responsibility—engage with operators in Scotland and elsewhere to ensure that we are not hit by the law of unintended consequences?

Answer from Anthony Browne

I very much welcome that question. The right hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland is a doughty champion for ferries in those islands and I know how important ferry services are for residents there. We have been very careful, across our transport decarbonisation plan, not to damage industries or sectors. We have given many billions of pounds in support for the whole range of different transport sectors and domestic ferries are very much a part of that. I am very happy to engage with the sector and to meet him to ensure that the ferries can carry on transporting passengers throughout Orkney, Shetland and elsewhere in the British Isles.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not provide a specific commitment to engage directly with operators despite being asked to do so.

How: We Have Been Very Careful, I Am Very Happy To Engage

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Q3 Mike Kane Lab Wythenshawe and Sale East
Transport Climate
Context

The Maritime 2050 plan aims at decarbonisation of the maritime sector. The Transport Committee has issued advice for streamlining its recommendations, but a refreshed version of the plan is overdue.

Question

Thank you, Mr Speaker. I smile because I am welcoming the Minister to his place perhaps half a dozen Ministers since I first stood at the Dispatch Box—but the best of luck to him in the time ahead. Decarbonising maritime will require unprecedented investment in UK technologies, with visionary policy and regulatory frameworks that limit ships' emissions and mandate the use of clean fuels. When will the Government follow the advice issued by the Transport Committee in June and streamline the muddle of 184 recommendations it set for itself in “Maritime 2050”? Speaking of which, we were promised a refreshed “Maritime 2050” in 2023 by one of the Secretary of State's many predecessors. There are a handful of days left. Where is it?

Answer from Anthony Browne

I thank the hon. Gentleman for what I am going to call his warm words—it is Christmas, a time to forgive and forget. The clean maritime plan is being refreshed and we will publish it as soon as possible. We are taking in and analysing a very wide range of evidence from a wide range of different people. The Government are committed to the whole “Maritime 2050” plan, and we are investing over £200 million in the UK SHORE programme to help fund research and development to make shipping decarbonise.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not provide a specific timeline for when the refreshed Maritime 2050 plan will be published despite being asked about it.

How: We Are Taking In And Analysing, And We Are Investing Over £200 Million

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