Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Energy Transition

Tuesday 6 January 2026 · 2 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister states energy security is crucial in an uncertain world.
  • Minister emphasizes building a clean power system to address climate crisis.
  • Minister confirms energy profits levy will end in 2030, providing long-term certainty.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Foord Lib Dem Honiton and Sidmouth
Climate Energy
Context

China installed five times more renewable power than Europe and eight times more than the US in 2024. More than two thirds of UK liquid natural gas came from the United States.

Question

The International Renewable Energy Agency reports that in 2024, China installed five times more renewable power than Europe and eight times more than the United States. In the same year, more than two-thirds of our liquid natural gas in the UK came from the United States. Given this difficult geopolitical situation, how is the Government making the UK more self-sufficient for energy supply?

Answer from The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)

It is a hugely important question. In an increasingly uncertain world, our energy security becomes more and more important, and that is why we are determined not only to build a clean power system to tackle the climate crisis but also to have home-grown power in the UK that we control. Every step we are taking to invest in renewable energy and a new generation of nuclear helps us do that, but it is also an economic opportunity for the century which delivers our energy security and jobs at the same time.

Partly answered
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Q2 Harriet Cross Con Gordon and Buchan
Energy
Context

The shadow Minister referenced the Government's consultation paper on the future of the North Sea, which defined windfall prices for oil and gas. She noted current market prices are significantly lower than these thresholds.

Question

In the consultation paper on the future of the North sea, the Government defined windfall prices as $90 a barrel for oil and 90p a therm for gas. Can the Minister tell me the prices of oil and gas today? Despite current market prices being up to a third lower than what the Government defines as windfall prices, they are still punishing our oil and gas industry with massive windfall taxes. The cost is 1,000 jobs lost every month, production set to halve in the next four years and almost complete dependence on foreign imports of oil and gas by 2030. This Government are going to be responsible for the death of one of our most important industries. Will the Government now end the oil and gas supertax, scrap the mad ban on new licences and finally back the North sea?

Answer from The Minister for Energy (Michael Shanks)

We have been really clear that the energy profits levy comes to an end in 2030. We have also put in place what the future of that scheme looks like to provide certainty for the long-term future. Of course, the energy profits levy was introduced by the hon. Lady’s party in government. I challenge some points made: firstly, the floor was set by the Conservative party in government and we have not changed it. Secondly, she talks about thousands of jobs lost every month, which is from a university study but does not reflect recent actual job losses. Every single job loss is distressing, yet her party should talk up opportunities in the North sea for carbon capture and storage, hydrogen production, oil and gas decommissioning work, among others.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific requests to end windfall tax, lift ban on new licenses, and support the North Sea industry were not directly addressed

How: Challenging Points Made, Referencing Floor Set By Previous Government

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