Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy Security

Tuesday 8 October 2024 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The energy shocks of recent years have exposed the UK's energy system's vulnerability to the international fossil fuel market.
  • The Minister will meet David Pinto-Duschinsky to discuss how to make energy solutions work in coalfield communities.
  • Community energy is valued for giving communities a stake in the energy future, and the government will invest in community-owned projects through Great British Energy.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Pinto-Duschinsky Lab Hendon
Energy
Context

The MP noted the impact of recent energy shocks on Hendon, emphasising the need for urgent action after a decade of Conservative government.

Question

What steps he is taking to improve energy security. People across Hendon have paid the price for the previous Government's failure over the last 14 years to invest in our energy system. Does the Minister agree that the only way to get us off the rollercoaster of high bills is to invest at pace and scale, as the Government are doing through our clean energy mission?

Answer from Michael Shanks

The energy shocks of recent years have laid bare the exposure of our energy system to the international fossil fuel market. We are rolling out at pace and at scale the clean power necessary to do so, which not only gives us energy security but creates good jobs, brings down bills and helps tackle the climate crisis.

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Q2 David Pinto-Duschinsky Lab Hendon
Energy Environment
Context

The MP highlighted the potential for geothermal energy from former coalmines to heat houses and businesses in areas like Ashfield.

Question

Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can make that work in coalfield communities?

Answer from Michael Shanks

I very much welcome the hon. Gentleman's question and will absolutely meet him to discuss that. We are clear that any technologies can be part of the solution, including those mentioned.

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Q3 Lee Anderson Reform Ashfield
Energy
Context

The MP questioned the Minister about the role of community-owned and co-operative energy projects in increasing national energy security.

Question

Will the Minister say a bit more about where community-owned energy will fit into the energy security plan?

Answer from Michael Shanks

Community energy has many benefits, including giving communities a stake in our energy future. We are committed to our local power plan and will deliver investment in community-owned projects through Great British Energy.

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Q4 Gareth Snell Labour (Co-op) Stoke-on-Trent Central
Climate Energy
Context

The MP invited the Minister to meet a cross-party group of MPs from the east of England to discuss energy infrastructure, focusing on undergrounding HVDC cables.

Question

Could I invite the Minister to meet a cross-party group of MPs from the east of England to discuss how the review conducted by the electricity system operator can contribute to energy security and in particular to look at how undergrounding high voltage direct current cables could be cheaper in the long term than pylons?

Answer from Michael Shanks

I am happy to have meetings on this issue. The evidence suggests that undergrounding is more expensive and can damage nature and habitats more than pylons. We will build necessary infrastructure for reaching net zero targets.

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Q5 Bernard Jenkin Con Harwich and North Essex
Climate Energy
Context

The MP questioned the government's commitment to its clean energy mission in light of recent energy crises, seeking clarity on investment timelines and specifics.

Question

People across Hendon have paid the price for the previous Government's failure over the last 14 years to invest in our energy system. Does the Minister agree that the only way to get us off the rollercoaster of high bills is to invest at pace and scale, as the Government are doing through our clean energy mission?

Answer from Michael Shanks

We agree. Investing at pace and scale in clean power is necessary to protect families and businesses from high energy bills by ending reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets, creating jobs, reducing bills, and tackling climate change.

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