Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Tuesday 15 July 2025 · 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 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Blake Stephenson raised concerns about the Office for Budget Responsibility's estimate of 803 billion for achieving net zero by 2050, with the Secretary of State emphasizing the economic risks of inaction on climate change.
  • Juliet Campbell addressed concerns from constituents about the loss or threat to meadows, highlighting their importance to the environment and natural heritage.
  • Steve Witherden inquired about the Vyrnwy Frankton project, seeking assurance on the impact assessment and lifetime costs, to which the Minister responded that the decision would be based on individual circumstances.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Blake Stephenson Con Mid Bedfordshire
Economy Climate
Context

The OBR report indicates an £803 billion cost for achieving net zero, with half attributed to lost fuel duties.

Question

I am concerned about the latest central estimate from the Office for Budget Responsibility that puts the cost of achieving net zero by 2050 at £803 billion, with half of this cost attributed to lost fuel duties. Does the Secretary of State accept that the Government will need to increase duties elsewhere, including on renewables, which could push bills up further?

Answer from Ed Miliband

The most significant thing about the OBR report is that it says there is an 8% threat to our GDP by 2070 in a 3°C world, and a 56% rise in the debt to GDP ratio if we do not act on climate change. That is the most important thing from that report, which I recommend all hon. Members read over the summer.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the question about additional duty increases and their impact on energy bills.

How: Redirecting To Broader Climate Impacts

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Q2 Juliet Campbell Lab Broxtowe
Climate Environment
Context

The constituent emails highlight concerns over the loss or threat to meadows, which are critical for wildlife habitats, flood alleviation, and promoting clean air.

Question

I have received numerous emails from my constituents in Broxtowe, raising concerns about the loss of or threat to meadows. Meadows are critical to our environment and have been part of our natural heritage for centuries. They provide a wealth of benefits such as a unique wildlife habitat, flood alleviation and the promotion of clean air. Without better protection, remaining historic meadows and their ecological value risk vanishing beneath our feet. Will the Minister commit to including the protection of meadows in the list of irreplaceable habitats?

Answer from Kerry McCarthy

I appreciate my hon. Friend’s concerns. This is a matter for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, but I am happy to talk to colleagues as they bring forward their land use framework. Nature-based solutions to climate change are important, so we very much engage with our colleagues in DEFRA on these issues.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to including meadows in the list of irreplaceable habitats.

How: Redirecting To Defra

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Q3 Steve Witherden Lab Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Energy Environment
Context

The Vyrnwy Frankton project aims to connect onshore wind to the grid, potentially affecting local communities and cherished countryside.

Question

The Vyrnwy Frankton project, which aims to connect onshore wind to the grid, would cut across my constituency and affect local communities and cherished countryside, posing a threat to businesses and tourism. Will the Minister assure me that the impact of the project and its associated lifetime costs will be minimised by undergrounding the cables along the route, except where geology makes that impossible?

Answer from Michael Shanks

That is not the position of the Government, because report after report and the evidence points to the fact that undergrounding cables is significantly more expensive than putting them above ground. Individual applications will clearly look at the individual circumstances and make a decision on that. We have said as a Government that communities that host network infrastructure should benefit through community benefits and direct money off bills, and that is what we will deliver.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to minimizing project impact by undergrounding cables wherever possible.

How: Referencing Evidence Of Cost

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Q4 Lincoln Jopp Con Spelthorne
Climate
Context

The French started the largest floating solar plant in Europe, producing 74.3 MW.

Question

We have been using floating solar technology in this country since 2016. Last month, the French started the largest plant in Europe, producing 74.3 MW. The Chinese have single plants that produce 350 MW. Given the scale of its use across the world, bar Britain, why did the Secretary of State refer to floating solar as a nascent technology? What is nascent about it?

Answer from Ed Miliband

It sounds like I am being educated about floating solar. I am happy to share the hon. Gentleman’s enthusiasm for it; if he has proposals about how we can take it forward, I am all ears.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address why floating solar is considered nascent in Britain.

How: Acknowledging But Not Addressing

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Q5 Michael Shanks Lab
Economy Employment
Context

The National Wealth Fund made a commitment of £200 million for the Grangemouth site. The MP has been meeting companies potentially interested in developing projects there.

Question

We are looking in the round at how we can deliver jobs and opportunities on the Grangemouth site. The National Wealth Fund made an unprecedented commitment of £200 million, and I have been meeting companies that are potentially interested in developing projects, to make sure we get them over the line. We have delivered on the training guarantee and delivered support beyond that provided by the Falkirk and Grangemouth growth deal. We are doing everything we can to support the workforce there, and we will continue to do so.

Answer from Michael Shanks

We are looking in the round at how we can deliver jobs and opportunities on the Grangemouth site. The National Wealth Fund made an unprecedented commitment of £200 million, and I have been meeting companies that are potentially interested in developing projects, to make sure we get them over the line. We have delivered on the training guarantee and delivered support beyond that provided by the Falkirk and Grangemouth growth deal. We are doing everything we can to support the workforce there, and we will continue to do so.

Answered
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