Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Net Zero Targets: Businesses

Tuesday 16 January 2024 · 8 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister meets regularly with business leaders to discuss net zero targets.
  • UK has halved emissions ahead of other major economies, leading in climate change action.
  • Government aims for up to 25% of electricity to come from nuclear by 2050.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Climate Business & Trade
Context

Discussions between businesses and the government on net zero targets.

Question

What recent discussions she has had with businesses on the Government's net zero targets. The UK is leading in tackling climate change, but what certainty does her government give businesses for investment?

Answer from Graham Stuart

I meet regularly with business leaders and chair several groups bringing together Government and industry to drive progress towards net zero. The UK has halved its emissions ahead of other major economies, leading the world in tackling climate change. We have a plan called 'Powering Up Britain' for £198 billion investment into clean energy since 2010.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about certainty for business investment was not addressed with concrete commitments or timelines.

How: We Have A Plan, Driving Progress Towards Net Zero

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Climate Energy
Context

The UK has fallen in the world for attracting investment in renewables.

Question

Why are the Government enabling what EY has described as the “diminishing of green policies” and undermining economic benefits of net zero? Labour's monumental failure to deliver renewables when it was in power, coupled with GB Energy's public investment would drive out private investment and destroy energy system transformation.

Answer from Graham Stuart

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and note Labour's failure to deliver renewables when in power. Under the Conservatives, we have led the world in transforming our energy system and decarbonising more than any other major economy on the planet.

Not addressed: The specific ask about diminishing green policies was not addressed with concrete reasons or evidence.

How: Labour'S Failure, Leading The World

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Meg Hillier Labour (Co-op) Hackney South and Shoreditch
Economy Climate Energy
Context

Targets have been missed, leading to a need for double or treble investment in public-private sectors.

Question

What certainty does the Government give businesses? We need £23 billion of combined investment from both public and private sectors. Due to government's chopping and changing, businesses lack confidence to invest. What is he doing to improve the situation?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We have realised £198 billion of investment into clean energy since 2010. Under the Conservatives, we will continue our work leading the world in transforming our energy system with lower-cost, home-produced energy while delivering on net zero.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about certainty for businesses was not addressed with concrete commitments or timelines.

How: £198 Billion Of Investment, Leading The World

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Dominic Raab Con
Energy
Context

UK start-up Newcleo and French start-up NAAREA have announced a partnership to promote small modular nuclear reactors.

Question

What support are the UK Government providing, and what proportion of our energy mix does this kind of initiative can support?

Answer from Graham Stuart

We will bring jobs, technology and opportunity of small modular reactors to this country as part the ambition for up to 25% of our electricity to come from nuclear by 2050. Labour Members did not support the secondary legislation to enable business models.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about government's support was not addressed with concrete actions or figures.

How: Labour Members, Supporting Legislation

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Katherine Fletcher
Climate Energy
Context

Businesses on Leyland business park are exploring geothermal and the Howick Cross substation brings energy from various sources.

Question

Does my right hon. Friend agree that future businesses will look to site themselves where there is reliable and accessible cheap energy, and South Ribble is well placed to take advantage of that?

Answer from Graham Stuart

My hon. Friend highlights the benefits and attractions of South Ribble, which can attract business within the UK and abroad by rewiring and leading the world in delivering a low-cost, low-carbon energy system.

Not addressed: The specific ask about agreement on South Ribble's potential was not addressed with concrete data or analysis.

How: Benefits And Attractions, Leading The World

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Caroline Lucas Green
Climate
Context

18 months on from Lord Deben's resignation, no replacement has been announced despite several applications and interviews.

Question

Are the Government scared of having their record scrutinised or determined to destroy any last shred of the UK's climate leadership? Will the Minister tell us now when selection will be announced?

Answer from Graham Stuart

The appointment of the Climate Change Committee's chair is not just a matter for the UK Government. It has to be agreed by devolved Administrations as well, and we are moving as quickly as we can.

Not addressed: The specific ask about reasons for delayed appointment was not addressed with concrete explanations or timelines.

How: Devolved Administrations, Moving Quickly

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q7 Simon Fell
Climate
Context

The question arises from the announcement of a new round of carbon capture projects.

Question

One of the most effective ways in which we can hit our net zero targets is by delivering an effective carbon capture and storage industry. The Morecambe bay net zero project based in my constituency could deliver a gigaton of carbon storage, helping some of our most energy-intensive industries through this transition period.

Answer from Graham Stuart

I am not the Minister who leads on carbon capture, usage and storage, but I share my hon. Friend's enthusiasm: by capturing the renewables around the UK and converting them into low-cost electricity, as we are also taking forward hydrogen and using the natural blessing of having so much carbon capture capability, we can deliver this country the jobs, the opportunity and the low-cost energy system for the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific invitation to visit Morecambe bay net zero project or any commitment related to it.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q8 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Economy Climate Energy
Context

The former Member for Kingswood resigned due to a lack of hope that the Government would deliver on green transition promises.

Question

Having shared a constituency border with the former Member for Kingswood for 14 years, I know that he was genuine in wanting what was best for his constituents. He knew that a green transition would protect their jobs at Rolls-Royce and Airbus, help the science park to thrive, and bring opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises and the self-employed. He resigned because he had lost all hope that this Government would deliver on those things.

Answer from Graham Stuart

Just to spell it out—because we do have to speak very slowly for the Opposition Front-Bench team—we have cut our emissions more than any other major economy, and our plans and the expectation of the UN are that we will continue to lead the world. That is leading the world: not talking about it, not promising to borrow £28 billion and put everyone's taxes up, and then fluctuating on a daily basis.

Not addressed: The answer did not address whether the former Member was right in resigning due to lack of hope. Instead, it focused on criticising Labour's economic policies.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email