Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Net Zero Policies

Tuesday 15 July 2025 · 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 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Matt Turmaine inquired about the importance of energy security for future generations, particularly in Watford.
  • Graham Stuart questioned the Minister about the scientific evidence used to assess cumulative impacts of multiple solar farms around Beverley.
  • Claire Coutinho criticized the Secretary of State for dismissing legitimate criticism of his policies and argued that offshoring industries undermines climate efforts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Matt Turmaine Lab Watford
Climate Energy
Context

The Minister had previously made a statement about the importance of scientific evidence for tackling climate change and nature decline.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answer. Energy security is important not just to help bring bills down now. Does the Minister agree that it is also vital for the future and for protecting future generations, including in my constituency of eminently lovable Watford, because those young people are the ones who will face the climate change consequences in the years to come?

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

As someone who grew up in Luton, I am not sure I am allowed to say that I love Watford, because there is an age-old rivalry there—but yes, we know that acting now with our clean energy superpower mission, scaling up renewables, reinforcing the grid and reducing our reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets will mean a cleaner, more secure future for generations to come. That is why, unlike the Conservatives, we are following the science and showing the leadership that is needed at home and abroad.

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Q2 Graham Stuart Con Beverley and Holderness
Climate Environment
Context

Proposals for five solar farms in Beverley totalling 465 MW have raised concerns about the cumulative impact on the area.

Question

Around Beverley, there are proposals for five solar farms, totalling 465 MW. Can the Minister assure my constituents that the scientific evidence that will be used to assess this will include the cumulative impact of these projects on the area around Beverley?

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

Yes, of course we look at the cumulative impact of these developments. Having been in the Department, the right hon. Gentleman will know that we have an excellent team of scientists led by Professor Paul Monks, who I want to pay tribute to because he is standing down later this year. I am sure the right hon. Gentleman would want to do so too.

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Q3 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
Climate
Context

The Secretary of State had argued that he is a climate change believer, dismissing any legitimate criticism as denial. The shadow Secretary of State criticized this stance and accused the government of offshoring British industries.

Question

The Secretary of State tried to argue yesterday that he is a climate change believer and everybody else who disagrees with him is a denier, because he does not want to engage with any legitimate criticism of his policies. He is offshoring British industries—in other words, replacing British goods with dirtier imports with higher emissions. Can the Minister confirm what the scientific evidence is that doing so will help to tackle climate change?

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

Perhaps if the right hon. Member had been here yesterday, she would have been able to engage with the Secretary of State on this. The science is absolutely clear: every avoided fraction of a degree of warming makes a difference to the severity of climate impacts. That is why the Prime Minister went to the global leaders summit at COP29 last year to announce a new 1.5°C-aligned nationally determined contribution, and we will continue to show international leadership.

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