Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Net Zero: Impact on Manufacturing

Tuesday 14 October 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 0 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gareth Snell questioned the Minister about the impact of net zero policies on the manufacturing industry, particularly concerning high energy costs affecting the ceramics sector.
  • Richard Tice inquired if the Minister would commit to ensuring a successful bidder for a whole site, with the Minister responding by attributing job risks to climate-denying policies and highlighting jobs in the green economy.
  • Andrew Bowie asked how many jobs must be lost due to eco-zealotry before the Government acknowledges the damage to the UK's industrial base caused by green policies, with the Minister responding with criticism of previous Conservative policies on industry and climate.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gareth Snell Labour (Co-op) Stoke-on-Trent Central
Brexit Energy Business & Trade
Context

The MP referenced the work done with the ceramic sector and highlighted the challenges faced by energy-intensive industries due to high international gas market costs.

Question

What assessment has the Minister made of the potential impact of his Department’s net zero policies on the manufacturing industry? My hon. Friend raises an important point about the scope of the supercharger, which we are going to look at in 026. He will be aware that some parts of the ceramics supply chain can access the supercharger, but I too am concerned about the impacts of high energy costs on the ceramics sector.

Answer from Chris McDonald

My hon. Friend raises an important point about the scope of the supercharger, which we are going to look at in 2026. He will be aware that some parts of the ceramics supply chain can access the supercharger, but I too am concerned about the impacts of high energy costs on the ceramics sector. I will meet the head of Ceramics UK this month, I am chairing a meeting of the Energy Intensive Users Group, and I look forward to further engagement with the sector in the new year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to expanding eligibility for the supercharger scheme as requested but acknowledged ongoing work with the ceramics sector.

How: Working On This

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Q2 Richard Tice Reform Boston and Skegness
Climate Energy
Context

The MP highlighted the potential sale process of the Lindsey oil refinery in Lincolnshire, expressing concern over job risks.

Question

Will the Minister, in his new job, commit to helping ensure that the whole site is sold to a successful bidder?

Answer from Chris McDonald

The hon. Member said that thousands and thousands of jobs are at risk in this country; they are at risk from the climate-denying policies of Reform. The Institution of Chemical Engineers reported last week that there are 800,000 jobs in the green economy in this country—thousands and thousands in the constituencies of every single Member in this House—and the hon. Member’s party is putting that investment at risk.

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide a commitment or details on ensuring the site sale process but redirected to criticise the Reform party's policies.

How: Changed Subject

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Q3 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Economy Climate Energy
Context

The MP referenced the closure of oil refineries, job losses in North Sea operations, factory closures, and plant shutdowns. He also mentioned criticism from Unite the union's head.

Question

How many jobs have to be sacrificed on the altar of this Secretary of State’s vainglorious eco-zealotry before the Government acknowledge the utter destruction of the UK’s industrial base that is being wreaked by policies driven by an out-of-touch green lobby?

Answer from Chris McDonald

It is no wonder that there is so much laughter around the Chamber, because the policies of the previous Conservative Government saw industry decline. They were prepared to let industry decline because, fundamentally, they do not believe in industry, and now we find that they do not believe in climate science. We on this side of the House know that we can achieve decarbonisation in this country by winning investment from industry—investment that is coming in from all around the world.

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide details or commitment to address job losses and plant closures but criticised the previous government's policies.

How: Criticised Opposition

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