Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Clean Energy: Private Sector Investment

Tuesday 18 November 2025 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government recognises the role of public and private sectors in unlocking benefits for critical minerals.
  • Government stands ready to provide support through DWP rapid response service for workers affected by job losses at Mossmorran.
  • Government acknowledges the global challenges faced by companies and highlights the North Sea skills essential for the green transition.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Perran Moon Lab Camborne and Redruth
Climate Energy Business & Trade
Context

The MP referenced private sector investment since the general election, including £28 million into South Crofty tin mine and £35 million into Cornish Lithium. He also mentioned SSE's £33 billion investment with 80% for grid upgrades.

Question

Critical minerals are essential to power our renewable energy future. Since the general election, the National Wealth Fund has invested £28 million into the South Crofty tin mine and £35 million into Cornish Lithium, both in my constituency of Camborne Redruth and Hayle. This is alongside major clean energy investment nationwide, including £33 billion from SSE, with 80% going into upgrading the UK’s power grid. Does the Minister agree that this is exactly the kind of long-term investment that we need, using public funding to crowd in private investment, which was inexplicably ignored by the Conservatives and would be cancelled by Reform?

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

The Government recognise the important role of the public sector and private sector working together to unlock these benefits, such as in critical minerals. The Minister thanked the MP for his invitation to visit companies mentioned in Cornwall, expressing readiness for a soon-to-be-arranged visit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The minister did not directly address whether they agree with public-private investment strategies or if they were ignored by Conservatives and would be cancelled by Reform.

How: Thanks The Mp For An Invitation Instead Of Answering The Question.

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Q2 Stephen Flynn SNP Aberdeen South
Employment Scotland Energy
Context

The MP highlighted job losses at Grangemouth and Mossmorran, blaming the UK Government’s policy environment. He mentioned 400 jobs to be lost at the Mossmorran plant.

Question

On this Government’s watch, Grangemouth has shut and oil and gas jobs are being pushed off a cliff. In the last 20 minutes, it has been announced that 400 jobs are to be lost at the Mossmorran plant back home in Scotland. The company blames the UK Government’s policy environment. The Government stepped in to save jobs at the steelworks in Scunthorpe. Are they going to intervene to save jobs in Scotland?

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

Of course, my thoughts and those of the Government are very much with the workers and their families at Mossmorran. The firm faces significant global challenges. The Government stand ready to provide support through DWP rapid response service and Ministers would be happy to meet the MP to discuss further support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly confirm intervention like in Scunthorpe, but offered potential discussions on more support.

How: Offering A Meeting For Discussion Instead Of Immediate Commitment

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Q3 Brian Leishman Lab Alloa and Grangemouth
Employment Scotland
Context

The MP criticized the Government's policy environment as industrial vandalism, highlighting job losses at Mossmorran similar to Grangemouth. He urged a future government stake for prosperity.

Question

The breaking news that the Mossmorran chemical plant is to close is yet more industrial vandalism put upon Scotland. Like what happened with Grangemouth, hundreds of on-site workers and their communities will be plunged into chaos. Why will the Government not take a future stake in what comes next at Grangemouth to give workers and communities prosperity and security?

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

As mentioned, it is a difficult time for workers at Mossmorran. The Government are in regular contact with the companies involved but must acknowledge significant global challenges faced by Exxon. Support through DWP rapid response service is available.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not confirm or deny taking a stake in industrial sites like Grangemouth, focusing on current support measures.

How: Acknowledging Difficulties And Global Challenges Instead Of Direct Intervention

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Q4 Andrew Bowie Con West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine
Climate Scotland Energy
Context

The MP referenced Scottish Renewables' words about safeguarding oil and gas skills for the green transition. He criticized government policies leading to job losses.

Question

“The skills, infrastructure and experience built by Scotland’s oil and gas sector are vital assets that must be safeguarded and redeployed as we accelerate the transition to clean energy.” These are not my words, but the words of Scottish Renewables. Why are the Government pursuing a strategy that is decimating that very industry and costing jobs across the country?

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

The Minister acknowledged that North sea skills are essential for the green transition, promising a North Sea plan. He also highlighted government’s clean energy jobs plan creating thousands of jobs across Scotland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address criticism of decimating policies, focused on future plans and existing investments.

How: Promising Future Plans Instead Of Addressing Current Criticisms.

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