Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 29 April 2025 · 17 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 6 Partly answered 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Markus Campbell-Savours (Lab) raised concerns about rural properties facing unique challenges regarding fuel poverty and energy efficiency, which the Government acknowledges and aims to address in its warm homes plan.
  • Andrew Bowie (Con) questioned the Government's approach to energy strategy, citing a report that suggests the strategy is "doomed to fail," to which the Secretary of State disagreed, stating the shadow Minister is "talking absolute nonsense."
  • Amanda Hack (Lab) inquired about encouraging apprenticeships in the energy efficiency sector to meet net zero targets, to which the Minister responded that the Office for Clean Energy Jobs is focused on developing a skilled workforce and working with Skills England and the Department for Education on apprenticeships.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Markus Campbell-Savours Lab Penrith and Solway
Energy Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Homes in rural areas experience some of the highest rates of fuel poverty in the UK. Rural properties are less energy efficient than the national average, making them harder to insulate.

Question

Rural properties face unique challenges regarding fuel poverty and energy efficiency. Constituents in Penrith and Solway will see these additional challenges reflected in the Government’s warm homes plan, ensuring it takes account of rurality.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)

One hundred per cent—my hon. Friend is absolutely right about that. The Minister for Energy Consumers and I often discuss how we have to ensure that our warm homes plan takes account of the particular needs and challenges facing rural areas.

Answered
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Q2 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Climate
Context

A report by the Tony Blair Institute suggests that current strategies based on phasing out fossil fuels in the short term or limiting consumption are doomed to fail.

Question

The shadow Minister questions the effectiveness of the Government's approach, suggesting that it is inadequate and unworkable. He cites a report from the Tony Blair Institute which states that the strategy is ‘doomed to fail’. The Secretary of State agrees with parts of the report but not its overall conclusion.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)

That is not what the report says. The shadow Minister is talking absolute nonsense.

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Q3 Amanda Hack Lab North West Leicestershire
Education Employment Energy
Context

North West Leicestershire has been at the forefront of industry for generations and leading global companies such as ABB are investing locally. Apprenticeships play a crucial role in meeting net zero targets.

Question

How will our Government encourage apprenticeships in the energy efficiency sector to meet net zero targets and support young people into good-quality jobs?

Answer from The Minister for Industry (Sarah Jones)

The Office for Clean Energy Jobs is focused on developing a skilled workforce in core energy and net zero sectors. The Department is working with Skills England to assess skill needs and engaging with the Department for Education on apprenticeships.

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Q4 Claire Young Lib Dem Thornbury and Yate
Climate Energy
Context

Following the publication of the Severn estuary commission report on tidal power, there is interest in supporting tidal range energy through a national policy statement.

Question

Will the Government produce a national policy statement to support tidal range energy and publish a review of available opportunities?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Michael Shanks)

We have been clear that we are supportive of tidal power in principle. However, questions about its cost benefit and value for money must be answered before any decisions can be made.

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Q5 Liz Jarvis Lib Dem Eastleigh
Energy
Context

Power outages across Spain, Portugal, and the south of France highlight the importance of energy security for national resilience.

Question

What steps have the Government taken to ensure robust plans are in place in case of power outages?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)

NESO and my Department take this incredibly seriously. We were in touch with the National Energy System Operator following events in Spain and Portugal to ensure we are prepared.

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Q6 Baggy Shanker Labour (Co-op) Derby South
Employment Climate Energy
Context

The clean energy transition can support communities across the UK with new jobs. The Vaillant factory in Derby is an example of investment creating jobs.

Question

What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that Derby is at the heart of this opportunity?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (Ed Miliband)

This Government are going to seize the opportunity of the clean energy transition, creating 200 jobs through a £40 million investment in manufacturing cylinders for heat pumps.

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Q7 Ruth Cadbury Lab Brentford and Isleworth
Transport Energy
Context

Electric vehicle sales growth is at risk of slowing down due to inadequate public charging infrastructure. The question highlights the need for better provision of public charging points, especially on strategic road networks for long-distance drivers.

Question

Electric vehicle sales growth is at risk of slowing down because patchy provision of public charging for those unable to charge at home and inadequate power capacity for rapid charging on our strategic road network for long-distance drivers are two key reasons for reluctance to buy EVs. What discussions are DESNZ Ministers having with power networks, charging providers and the Department for Transport to address this?

Answer from Michael Shanks

My hon. Friend is right to point out that public charging points are critical. That is why the regulator, Ofgem, allocated £22 billion over the next five years to maintain and upgrade the infrastructure. I have had a number of meetings with network operators about this question, and I work closely with my colleagues in the Department for Transport to ensure we are rolling out more points.

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Q8 Monica Harding Lib Dem Esher and Walton
Climate Energy
Context

Many constituents face high electricity bills, which have increased from £150 to £450 a month for local businesses. The question asks about easing restrictions on solar and wind power investment to help struggling businesses.

Question

My constituents continue to face higher electricity bills—among the highest in the country at approximately £961 per year. One of my local hairdressers tells me that their electricity has gone up from £150 to £450 a month. Will the Government commit to bolder policies by easing restrictions on solar and wind power and driving investment in renewables to help struggling businesses?

Answer from Ed Miliband

The hon. Lady is 100% right—clean, home-grown power is the answer—so that is an unequivocal yes.

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Q9 Noah Law Lab St Austell and Newquay
Energy Business & Trade
Context

High energy costs have stifled industrial communities such as St Austell and the clay country. The question asks about steps being taken to ensure industries like china clay are internationally competitive.

Question

Industrial communities such as St Austell and the clay country have been stifled in recent years by soaring energy costs. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to ensure that industries such as the proud china clay industry are internationally competitive?

Answer from Ed Miliband

My hon. Friend is right: there is a long-standing issue around industrial energy prices. The key is getting off the rollercoaster of fossil fuel markets, because just as family finances were ruined in the cost of living crisis, it is the same in relation to business finances and public finances. It is an essential part of the answer.

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Q10 Susan Murray Lib Dem Mid Dunbartonshire
Energy
Context

Elderly and disabled people face very high energy bills due to essential medical equipment and heating needs. The question asks about Government support for these households.

Question

In my constituency, many elderly and disabled people face very high energy bills due to essential medical equipment and heating needs. What support are the Government providing to ensure that these households are protected from the high cost of electricity?

Answer from Miatta Fahnbulleh

We know that consumers are under pressure with energy bills. That is why last winter, £1 billion of support was provided to help vulnerable customers through our warm home discount and through industry. That is why we are extending the warm home discount from 3 million households to 6 million households and doing ongoing work to ensure we are supporting the most vulnerable households with bills.

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Q11 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Climate Energy Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the lack of a focused plan from GB Energy to support farmers in tapping into their becks and rivers.

Question

Will the Secretary of State ensure that GB Energy has a focused plan to deliver, and to help the 1,500 farmers in my constituency to tap the latent energy in their becks and rivers, so that we can support farming as well as the battle against climate change?

Answer from Michael Shanks

The hon. Gentleman makes a very important point about the role that local community energy can play; I think that is what he is alluding to. We are committed to ensuring that. Great British Energy local has already made some announcements in this space, including on local energy funding in England. We will have much more to say in due course, but we want to ensure a partnership, so if the hon. Gentleman writes to me, I will make sure that what he says gets to GB Energy.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer is vague and does not provide specific details about GB Energy's plan for farmers in the constituency.

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Q12 Graeme Downie Lab Dunfermline and Dollar
Scotland Energy
Context

The MP is concerned about the future of the former Longannet coal power station site in his constituency.

Question

The Scottish National party celebrated the closure and demolition of Longannet coal power station in my constituency without having a plan for its future. The former First Minister pressed the button on the charges herself. What conversations do Ministers plan to have with the site owner, Scottish Power, about the future of the site, and what role might there be for the UK Government in bringing investment and jobs to my constituency?

Answer from Michael Shanks

My hon. Friend is right to make the point about Longannet. We have conversations with Scottish Power on a number of issues, including this. He again emphasises the important role that nuclear could play in Scotland in the future. It could obviously be an important site for a range of uses, but if the ideological ban on nuclear by the SNP were lifted, we could look at other opportunities for such sites.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific details about planned discussions with Scottish Power.

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Q13 David Mundell Con Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale
Scotland Energy
Context

The MP is concerned about the resilience of Scotland's electricity network following recent events in Spain and Portugal.

Question

When I was at the Scotland Office, I was regularly lobbied by retired senior executives from the electricity industry who wanted to state their concerns about how long it would take to reboot the network in Scotland if there was a major outage. Obviously, I sought the necessary assurances from those running the network, but in the light of what has happened in Spain and Portugal, I would be reassured if Ministers sought those assurances again.

Answer from Ed Miliband

My Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, my hon. Friend the Member for Rutherglen (Michael Shanks), and I regularly discuss this issue, which relates to one of the first duties of Government. I reassure the right hon. Gentleman that not only is this a focus for Government, but we will look at what happened in Spain and Portugal to see if there are any lessons to be learned about our resilience.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer provides some reassurance but does not specify when further assurances will be sought.

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Q14 James Naish Lab Rushcliffe
Employment Energy Business & Trade
Context

The MP is concerned about the potential of fusion technology to create jobs and address long-term clean energy needs.

Question

As the chair of the all-party parliamentary group on fusion energy, I know that fusion technology not only has the potential to create thousands of jobs, but could also be the answer to our long-term clean energy security needs. Does the Minister agree with me that supporting fusion is a good example of the Government’s crowding in private sector investment, creating jobs and winning investment for places like the east midlands?

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

My hon. Friend is a real champion for his constituency, and for the benefits that the development of fusion will bring. We continue to invest and to have discussions with international counterparts. There is a very bright future for fusion, and for his constituents as a result.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific details about government plans or initiatives related to fusion technology.

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Q15 Seamus Logan SNP Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
Climate Scotland Energy
Context

The MP is concerned about the transmission charging regime posing threats to investment in offshore wind in Scotland.

Question

The Minister will be aware of the switch-on of Moray West offshore wind farm at Buckie, in my constituency, last week, creating jobs, delivering clean energy and helping our nation to achieve net zero. Does the Minister accept that the current transmission charging regime poses significant and immediate threats to investment in offshore wind in Scotland? Will he meet me and industry representatives to explore that matter further?

Answer from Michael Shanks

We were delighted to switch on the wind farm; the Secretary of State for Scotland was there to push the button last week. It is a fantastic example of the potential of offshore wind. Of course, I am happy to meet the hon. Gentleman. I have already met him, and had a very enjoyable conversation, and I am very happy to talk about the issue. The review of the electricity market arrangements that we are going through will look at the issue of transmission charges. It is an important conversation to have, and I am happy to speak to him on the subject.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer provides some reassurance but does not commit to a specific meeting or action plan.

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Q16 Perran Moon Lab Camborne and Redruth
Energy
Context

The MP is concerned about the energy crisis under previous governments.

Question

The United Kingdom was particularly susceptible to changes in international gas prices during the energy crisis, and bills and prices soared as a result. Under this Government, GB Energy is installing solar panels in hospitals in my Camborne, Redruth and Hayle constituency, but will the Minister remind us which party presided over the worst cost of living crisis in memory—

Answer from Ed Miliband

I am delighted to remind the House that it was the Conservative party that left us with energy insecurity, and we are never going to leave this country vulnerable in the way that it did.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not address GB Energy's solar panel installations directly.

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Q17 Sammy Wilson DUP East Antrim
Climate Energy
Context

The MP is concerned about the government's plans for cloud seeding to block sunlight.

Question

In the 1970s, global warmists wanted to put black dust on the Arctic to block the sun. Now the Minister wants to put black dust on clouds to block the sun again. Is his plan not bonkers? £50 million of taxpayer’s money has been spent, which will only put up energy prices even further.

Answer from Ed Miliband

This is like conspiracy theories gone mad. I feel like we have entered a whacky world. Let us keep our eyes on the prize. As a country, we are vulnerable because of our exposure to fossil fuels. This Government have one mission alone: to get clean, home-grown power, so that we take back control.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer dismisses the question but does not provide details on cloud seeding plans or their impact.

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