Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy Industry

Wednesday 4 September 2024 · 6 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial support for the energy industry in Scotland includes the creation of Great British Energy, a 8.3 billion publicly owned clean energy company headquartered in Scotland.
  • The Government is engaging with Harland & Wolff and local stakeholders to monitor the situation and support a resolution for the Arnish and Methil fabrication yards.
  • The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero is set to announce the location of GB Energy, which is expected to support 50,000 new jobs across Scotland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Baker Lab Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Scotland Energy
Context

The MP notes the importance of supporting the Scottish energy sector.

Question

What steps he is taking to support the energy industry in Scotland. The creation of Great British Energy, a publicly owned clean energy company capitalised with £8.3 billion, will be headquartered in Scotland and help create thousands of jobs while delivering energy security and lower prices permanently for consumers. Just this week, over 130 renewable projects were awarded contracts under the sixth allocation for the contracts for difference scheme.

Answer from Ian Murray

Scotland is at the forefront of this Government's mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower by 2030. Great British Energy, capitalised with £8.3 billion, will be headquartered in Scotland and help create thousands of jobs while delivering energy security and lower prices permanently for consumers. The sixth allocation for the contracts for difference scheme has awarded over 130 renewable projects.

Answered
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Q2 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Scotland
Context

The MP welcomes the Secretary of State to his position and highlights the importance of the Arnish fabrication yard for renewable energy projects.

Question

Will he now use the full firepower of the Scotland Office to convince Cabinet colleagues and industry players of the vital role and potential of the Arnish fabrication yard in Stornoway and its sister yard in Methil, both of which are coming up for sale as part of the going to market of Harland & Wolff? Will he assure workers at the Arnish yard and at Stornoway port that they will play a big role in the renewables future and in GB Energy?

Answer from Ian Murray

The Government will continue to engage with Harland & Wolff, local MPs and the Scottish Government to monitor the situation and support a resolution that provides long-term certainty for the yards and workforces across the whole UK. The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland recently visited the Arnish yard. I have visited the Methil yard twice and hope to meet the Deputy First Minister again in the coming weeks.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not provide a specific commitment about using the full firepower of his office or assurances for workers' future roles in renewables and GB Energy.

How: Under Review, Monitoring Situation

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Q3 Gordon McKee Lab Glasgow South
Climate Energy
Context

The MP welcomes the Secretary of State to his position and highlights Glasgow's strong renewables industry.

Question

Given that Glasgow already has a fantastic renewables industry, may I ask what work he has done with his Cabinet colleagues to ensure that GB Energy supports jobs in Glasgow? The creation of GB Energy will support 50,000 new jobs across Scotland. It will deliver lower household bills and help us meet our net zero obligations.

Answer from Ian Murray

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero is due to make an announcement on the location of GB Energy very soon. I can exclusively announce today that GB Energy will be headquartered in Scotland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not provide specific details about efforts to ensure GB Energy supports Glasgow's renewables industry or jobs.

How: Location Announcement Upcoming

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Q4 Richard Baker Lab Glenrothes and Mid Fife
Climate Business & Trade
Context

The MP has been working closely with unions at the Methil yard during restructuring.

Question

Does he agree that 200 skilled workers at Methil and those at Arnish have a vital contribution to make to our ambitions to grow our renewable sector, and also that all stakeholders have a vital role in securing the long-term future of these yards?

Answer from Ian Murray

I acknowledge his efforts and those of many hon. Friends in advocating for the Methil fabrication yard, which has a world-class workforce. We will do everything we can to make sure that they have a bright future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not explicitly agree or disagree but acknowledged efforts and commitment to support workers' futures.

How: Acknowledging Efforts

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Q5 John Cooper Con Dumfries and Galloway
Taxation Brexit Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP raises concern over sanctioned Russian individuals' involvement in a UK-based energy company.

Question

Does the right hon. Gentleman share my consternation this morning that two sanctioned Russian oligarchs now have a share in Harbour Energy, our largest producer of North sea oil and gas? That seems incredible at this time, not least because the company they are using to have this stake was forced to divest itself of a broadband company due to national security threats.

Answer from Ian Murray

I welcome the hon. Gentleman to his place and congratulate him on winning his seat. The issue is a concern to everyone in the House, and we will make sure that a written response is given to the hon. Gentleman as soon as possible.

Not addressed: The Secretary did not address concerns over sanctioned individuals' involvement but promised a written response.

How: Written Response, Promise

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Q6 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Scotland Energy
Context

The MP highlights the potential investment and jobs from energy projects that could be jeopardised by government policy.

Question

This Labour Government are jeopardising all that investment, energy, and jobs by dropping the UK Government's opposition to the judicial review which aims to block these vital energy projects. Can the Secretary of State seriously tell the 90,000 people whose jobs rely on oil and gas in Scotland that the future of this crucial industry is secure under Labour, when it is his Government's policy to oppose all new developments?

Answer from Ian Murray

Oil and gas will be with us for decades to come. The Finch decision, which he refers to, was something that this Government had to consider carefully. A consultation on consenting affecting Jackdaw and Rosebank should conclude within the next six months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary did not directly address job security or opposition to new developments but acknowledged ongoing considerations and consultations.

How: Carefully Considered, Consultation

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