Grangemouth Oil Refinery
(East Lothian) (Alba)
1. What recent discussions she has had with trade unions on the
future of Grangemouth oil refinery beyond 2025. (902928)
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero ()
My Department attended the Grangemouth industrial just transition
leadership forum alongside Scotland Office Ministers and
representatives of Unite the union on 28 March. We remain in
close contact with the Scottish Government and the owner
Petroineos. My hon. Friend the Minister for Energy Security and
Net Zero met Scottish Government counterparts and Petroineos
management on 15 May and raised the importance of working with
the unions.
Warm words are one thing; tangible support is quite another. If
Grangemouth closes, Scotland faces the possibility—indeed, the
probability—of being the only major oil producing nation without
refinery capacity, yet €700 million has been found by the UK
Government to support an Ineos plant in Antwerp
while not a penny is available for Grangemouth. Is it to be a
Brexit bonus for Belgian workers and a P45 for those Scots at the
refinery?
We are working with the Scottish Government and Petroineos to
understand all possible options for the future of the refinery. I
remind the hon. Gentleman that the Conservatives are the only
major party who are backing the North sea, the biddings it brings
in each year and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that it
supports, while a new report last week showed that Labour's plan
could lose as many as 100,000 jobs in the next five years.
Net Zero Target
(Crawley) (Con)
2. What progress she has made on reaching the Government's 2050
net zero target. (902929)
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero ()
We are on track to reach net zero by 2050, and we will do so in a
way that brings the public with us. We overachieved on our third
carbon budget by 15%, and we announce today that we will not be
rolling that over as we think that we will be able to overperform
on carbon budget 4 as well.
I congratulate the Government on us being one of the first major
economies in the world to set out the ambition for net zero
carbon emissions by 2050. What discussions has the Secretary of
State had with the Chancellor and the Secretary of State for
Transport with regard to a revenue support mechanism for
sustainable aviation, as well as ensuring that feedstock for
sustainable aviation fuels takes priority?
I know from experience that my hon. Friend is a doughty champion
for his local area and for the aviation sector. My Department is
in regular contact with the Department for Transport and the
Treasury on aviation decarbonisation and the important role for
sustainable aviation fuel in that transition. On 25 April, DFT
published a consultation on options for a revenue certainty
mechanism alongside details of the SAF mandate, which together
will support both decarbonation and the growth of the sector.
Mr Speaker
I call the Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero
Committee.
(Na h-Eileanan an
Iar) (Ind)
Tapadh, Mr Speaker.
There are many criticisms of the Government—I am sure they are
aware of them—that they are too slow and indecisive about giving
signals to the market for particular technologies, which means
that, when they need to commission new energy, they are stuck
with only one option: gas, which, as we know, is not exactly the
way to net zero. What will the Secretary of State be doing to
move things a bit quicker and give the market signals as to which
energy path the UK will be taking?
I remind the hon. Gentleman that we have one of the most
remarkable records when it comes to renewable energies. The only
country that has built more offshore wind than us is China, we
have set out the largest expansion for nuclear, and we are at the
forefront of cutting-edge technologies such as fusion, hydrogen
and carbon capture.
Dame (Morley and Outwood)
(Con)
Meeting our net zero targets, which will be extremely difficult
and eye-wateringly expensive, has been enforced on my
constituents. Does the Secretary of State agree that we must be
more honest and open about the enormous costs of net zero on the
British taxpayer? Will the Government commit to publishing a
detailed analysis of those costs in advance of my Westminster
Hall debate?
There is a balance to be struck, which I believe we are striking,
in ensuring that we can make the most of the jobs and
opportunities of the energy transition, which will support up to
480,000 green jobs in 2030. But, yes, when it comes to additional
costs, we are taking a measured approach because we want to
protect households.
(Brighton, Pavilion)
(Green)
In the Climate Change Committee's latest progress report, it was
made clear:
“There continues to be an overly narrow approach to solutions,
which crucially does not embrace the need to reduce demand for
high-carbon activities.”
So when the Secretary of State goes back to the drawing board to
revise the Government's carbon budget delivery plan, as she now
must, will she finally reduce the reliance on unproven
technofixes and look instead at demand reduction measures—or,
following the recent embarrassing judgment from the High Court,
is she aiming for a hat-trick, with her Department's climate plan
declared unlawful for a third time?
I would find the hon. Lady's questions more credible if she would
at least once welcome the fact that we are the first country in
the G20 to have halved emissions. On our progress, I am proud
that one of the reasons that we have come so far is technological
fixes, because of the remarkable progress that this country has
made in renewable energy. That is why we overshot on our first,
second and third carbon budgets, and we are on track to overshoot
on our fourth.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Secretary of State.
(Doncaster North) (Lab)
Two weeks ago the Government were found, for a second time, to be
in breach of the law over their climate targets. That failure
will mean that families across the country will pay higher energy
bills. The Court found:
“The Secretary of State's conclusion that the proposals and
policies will enable the carbon budgets to be met was
irrational”.
Last time, the Government claimed that their breach of the law
was just on a technicality. What is the right hon. Lady's “dog
ate my homework” excuse this time?
Let us be clear: the Court did not question the policies that we
have set out, which we have done in more detail than any of our
peers. It did not question the progress that we have already
made, as the first G20 country in the world to halve emissions,
and it did not question the ambition of our future targets, which
are among the most ambitious of our peers. If the right hon.
Gentleman wants to look at what would smother the transition and
private investment in this country, he need only look at his own
mad, unachievable 2030 target.
With a defence like that, I can see why the Government lost in
court not just once but twice. Buried in the court documents is
the confidential memo that reveals the real reason they lost the
case—officials were telling Ministers that they had low or very
low confidence that half their carbon reductions would be
achieved. That is why they were found unlawful. The right hon.
Lady comes to the House each month with her complacent nonsense,
but the court judgment exposes the truth: the Government are way
off track, abysmally failing to meet the climate emergency and
pushing up bills for families as a result.
I have learned in this role that the right hon. Gentleman likes
to call people who disagree with him names. Last week,
representatives from the Institute said that his plans
would raise bills and harm our energy security. Are they flat
earthers? An industry report said last week said that his plans
would see up to 100,000 people lose their jobs. Are those people
who are worried climate deniers? When will the right hon.
Gentleman admit that his plans are based on fantasy and ideology
and are the last thing that this country needs?
Public Ownership of Energy System
(Blaydon) (Lab)
3. Whether she has made an assessment of the potential merits of
public ownership of the energy system. (902930)
The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero ()
No.
Every family in Britain is paying the price for the Government's
failure on energy, with bills through the roof while oil and gas
profits have soared. A publicly owned clean energy company would
allow us to take back control of our energy, cutting bills and
creating jobs across the UK. Why are the Government letting their
ideological stubbornness get in the way of supporting families,
when they could follow other, successful countries and set up a
publicly owned clean energy company like Great British
Energy?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question, but I do not think that
consumers will. The TUC itself has highlighted the potential £61
billion to £82 billion cost that will be landed either at the
taxpayer's doorstep or directly on to consumers' bills, which is
nothing to be thankful for.
(Esher and Walton) (Con)
In 1985, just before privatisation, 4.2% of total consumer
spending was on energy bills. Between 2000 and 2020, that dropped
to between 2% and 3%. Even last year during the war in Ukraine,
it only hit 3.6%. Does my hon. Friend agree that, as he has
already said, the suggestion from the hon. Member for Blaydon
() would wallop consumers?
We have to work with businesses to secure investment. We have
secured £300 billion for low-carbon technologies since 2010, as
we boost UK energy production, our energy security and,
ultimately, deliver cheaper bills for consumers.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Bristol East) (Lab)
When it comes to who controls and benefits from our energy
system, why does the Government refuse to put the British people
first? As we have heard, foreign-owned firms, whether France's
EDF or Denmark's Ørsted, reap the rewards of energy produced in
Britain. As they benefit British people pay the price, exposed to
sky-high energy bills and beholden to volatile international
prices. Why is the Minister so opposed to putting power back into
the hands of the British people?
There is not a single country around the world that thinks
Governments alone can deliver increased energy security. By
working with businesses, we can unlock the private investment to
do it. And talk about irrational: imagine a career politician,
the shadow Secretary of State, running UK energy. Consumer bills
would rocket.
The Minister is completely missing the point, so I will use a
real-world example. In Bristol, we have set up the 20-year
Bristol City Leap project with Ameresco and Vattenfall, a
partnership between the public and private sector that will help
the city to cut carbon dioxide, bring down bills and deliver
green jobs. Actually, the Government are piloting a similar
project in York, because it has been such a success in Bristol.
But why should it be Vattenfall, a 100% Swedish state-owned firm,
rather than a British equivalent, such as Labour's GB Energy,
that benefits? Why can Swedish taxpayers profit from investing in
our future, but British taxpayers cannot?
Politicians with zero business experience are high risk. It was
not so long ago that the shadow energy security Minister
highlighted the success of Robin Hood Energy, backed by
Nottingham City Council, which delivered a £38 million loss.
Net Zero: Cost-Benefit Analysis
(North West Leicestershire)
(Ind)
4. Whether she has made a cost-benefit analysis of her net zero
policies. (902931)
The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero ()
Our pragmatic, proportionate and realistic approach to meeting
net zero will capitalise on the opportunities of the low-carbon
transition, creating jobs and investment across the UK.
The cost of net zero is being borne by our hard-pressed
constituents, at the same time as China increases its carbon
dioxide emissions by more than the UK's total emissions every
year. Wholesale electricity prices are currently £65 per
megawatt, but we are paying £102 per megawatt for fixed offshore
wind, offering £246 for floating offshore wind, £89 for onshore
wind, and £85 for solar. Can the Minister explain whatever
happened to plentiful, cheap renewable energy?
The hon. Member and I agree that we must champion the importance
of delivering cheaper bills for consumers. This does not have to
be a binary choice between tackling climate change and delivering
cheaper consumer bills. By investing in a cleaner, more efficient
energy system, we can do both.
Sir (South Holland and The Deepings)
(Con)
I refer Members to my entry in the Register of Members' Financial
Interests.
The benefits of renewables cannot come at any cost. In that
spirit, I welcome the commitment of the Secretary of State and in
particular the Minister to protect food security through the
additional protections of versatile and productive agricultural
land. Will the Minister also affirm the Government's
determination to protect areas that are particularly affected by
energy infrastructure—pylons, wind and solar—such as the
Lincolnshire fens, the Somerset levels and Romney Marsh? Food
security matters just as much as energy security in the national
interest for the common good.
We are proud to have taken renewables from just 7% under the last
Labour Government to 47% today, but my right hon. Friend makes a
powerful point about the need to tackle clustering. The Secretary
of State reiterated clear guidelines and advice for local
authorities and planning committees up and down the country to
make sure that we safeguard, wherever possible, our key
agricultural lands as part of our commitment on food
security.
(Westmorland and Lonsdale) (LD)
Communities in Westmorland cannot afford for us not to be
reducing carbon emissions. I think of communities such as Kirkby
Stephen, Appleby and Kendal, all of which are listed as energy
crisis hotspots. That means they have below average incomes, but
above average energy prices. There are over 10,000 homes in need
of loft insulation and 6,940 homes in need of cavity wall
insulation in my communities. Will the Minister give resources to
the excellent Cumbria Action for Sustainability to meet that need
and decrease bills, and also perhaps revise the rules for ECO4 so
the scheme better fits older homes in rural areas such as
ours?
I thank the hon. Member. As on football, we agree on the
principles. The Government are proud to have taken
energy-efficient homes from 14% to 50%. Local initiatives can
play a key part in that and I would be interested to learn more
about the project he highlighted.
Dr (Sleaford and North
Hykeham) (Con)
Decarbonisation is welcome, but it must be achieved in a way that
balances the country's other priorities, such as food security. I
welcome last week's statement from the Secretary of State about
the importance of protecting our best and most versatile
farmland, but can the Minister tell me more about how he will
ensure that we prioritise solar power on rooftops instead?
The Government are proud to have delivered an additional 43 GW of
renewable energy since 2010 alone. We have also introduced
planning changes to make it easier to install solar panels on
rooftops, including those of industrial buildings, and we can
thank consumers for leading the way: an average of 17,000
households a month added solar panels to their roofs last
year.
Energy Bills
(Romford) (Con)
5. What steps she is taking to help reduce energy bills.
(902932)
(Uxbridge and South
Ruislip) (Con)
7. What steps her Department is taking to support people with the
cost of energy bills. (902934)
(Clwyd South) (Con)
8. What steps she is taking to help reduce energy prices for
consumers. (902935)
Mrs (South East Cornwall)
(Con)
14. What steps she is taking to help reduce energy bills.
(902942)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero ()
The price cap has fallen by 60% since the start of last year, and
the Government are taking a comprehensive approach to bring down
future energy bills for consumers. That includes reforming
electricity markets to make them more effective, investing across
the energy system to make it smarter, and investing in energy
efficiency to reduce costs for households.
I thank the Minister for her answer, but I want her to understand
that for constituents such as mine in Romford energy prices are
becoming completely unaffordable, and the Government need to do
more. My constituents are also very concerned about the cost of
net zero, and we need to know what that will cost them in years
to come. Surely the Government need to take the British people
with them on these policies, but at present there is a great deal
of scepticism.
That is certainly one of the Department's aims. We are very
conscious that we must get that energy security while also
helping all the vulnerable households—and non-domestic
businesses—that need our support.
A significant number of households in my constituency who are
experiencing the continued impact of Russia's illegal invasion of
Ukraine and unrest in the middle east have received help in the
form of the Government's cost of living support payments. Those
payments are welcome, but does the Minister agree that this
important support should continue, along with more information
about the help that is available and how to gain access to
it?
My hon. Friend is a great champion for his constituents, and of
course I agree with him about the importance of ensuring that
householders know where to obtain information about what they may
be able to receive, especially as we are providing them with £108
billion between 2022 and 2025. I recommend that they visit the
Help for Households web page on gov.uk to find out what support
they may be entitled to.
Many rural properties on the Welsh borders—including those in
Clwyd South and in neighbouring north Shropshire—are not
connected to mains gas and therefore use oil or liquefied
petroleum gas for heating, and many of the residents are unaware
of the support that is available to help with their energy bills.
Can the Minister tell the House what support the Government are
providing for those residents?
My hon. Friend has raised an important issue. We are, of course,
helping all those households. The Government supported about 3
million households using alternative fuels with the £200
alternative fuel payments in the winter of 2022-23, and although
energy prices, including alternative fuel costs, have fallen
significantly since then, we are nevertheless committed to
supporting all households with that £108 billion package between
2022 and 2025.
Mrs Murray
I have just had some solar panels fitted to my roof and I am
pleased to report that they are reducing my bills, but what more
are the Government doing to encourage people to produce their own
electricity by means of renewables, in order to reduce the pull
on the grid and also reduce bills?
I am delighted to hear that my hon. Friend has had those solar
panels fitted. She will be interested to hear that the Government
are considering options to facilitate low-cost finance from
retail lenders to help households with the up-front costs of
installation, and to drive rooftop deployment and energy
efficiency measures.
(Lewisham East) (Lab)
I know of too many cases in which people whose properties are
connected to heat networks are paying extremely high energy
bills. I welcome the Department's response to the consultation on
heat networks, but the Energy Act 2023 only allows for
Secretaries of State to introduce a price cap, at their
discretion. Some of my constituents are paying bills that are 13
times the level of the cap. Will the Minister consider a
mandatory cap to ensure fair prices for heat network
customers?
The hon. Lady makes an important point. Of course, the price cap
is an issue for Ofgem. However, I would be interested to hear
some of her suggestions and I am always happy to have a meeting
on that particular subject.
(Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch
and Strathspey) (SNP)
Fuel and extreme fuel poverty across the highlands and islands is
higher than anywhere else in the UK, yet families there are
forced to pay the highest electricity standing charges in the
UK—50% more than in London, for example. That is despite the
region exporting in excess of six times the amount of renewable
electricity that it uses. When will the Government introduce a
highland energy rebate to ensure fairness for people across the
highlands and islands?
The hon. Gentleman will know that we have had many conversations
about this subject. One of the things that the Secretary of State
and I have been doing is talking to Ofgem to make sure that it is
looking at the standing charges. That has led to a call for
input, which has recently had over 30,000 responses.
(Dwyfor Meirionnydd)
(PC)
My constituent Beverley Scott, who has cancer, suffered from poor
work carried out under the Government's ECO4 scheme. This
included leaving her without heating and damaging her internet.
She eventually had to go to the small claims court to get redress
for shoddy work, and I know of other people who have had to
follow the same route. Given that provider companies, enabled by
Government strategy, leave vulnerable householders with no option
but to go to court, does the Minister not agree that there should
be better oversight and a simpler remedy for people like Beverley
Scott?
The right hon. Lady makes an incredibly important point. Of
course, one of the things that we are determined to do is make
sure that those installations are carried out in the correct
manner. In fact, we have new regulations in place to make sure
that that happens going forward.
(Edinburgh West) (LD)
The Minister will know that I am concerned about the level of
standing charges in my constituency, as I have discussed this
issue with her before. One of the problems is that people with
pre-payment meters often find that, when they go to add the
payment, the standing charges wipe everything out. Can the
Government and Ofgem find a way to provide more support for those
on pre-payment meters to avoid that problem?
The hon. Lady and I have had many conversations about this issue.
One of the things that we have done is make sure that people who
are on pre-payment meters are not unfairly penalised.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
Dr (Southampton, Test)
(Lab)
The Minister and her colleagues have repeatedly said today that
they care about cutting bills for families, but a recent report
by the Resolution Foundation found that the onshore wind ban has
hit the poorest households' income six times harder than that of
the richest. Such households have been forced to pay additional
electricity bills as a result of the total failure to build
onshore wind in England. How on earth can Ministers continue to
sit there and claim that they stand up for working families when
they continue to block the cheapest form of clean energy there
is, which could cut bills for families who desperately need help?
Before she leaves office, will the Secretary of State pledge to
put this right so that onshore wind can be built again and
customers can save money on their future bills?
That is absolutely not the case. We stand here incredibly proudly
as Ministers in the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero,
and we have made a commitment. We are doing more than has ever
been done on renewables and offshore wind, and we have done more
to help people with the affordability of their bills.
Social Housing: Energy Efficiency
Sir (New Forest West) (Con)
6. What steps she is taking to help improve energy efficiency in
social housing. (902933)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero ()
The social housing decarbonisation fund is upgrading to EPC C a
significant amount of the social housing stock that is currently
below that standard. We have already committed over £1 billion of
Government funding, with a further £1.25 billion already
committed for 2025 to 2028.
Sir
By how much has the Minister increased the level of insulation,
and what significance does she attach to it?
I thank my right hon. Friend for his brevity, as always. The
amount of social housing that is well insulated has gone up from
just 24% in 2010 to 70% today. For housing overall, we have gone
from just 14% in 2010 to 50% today.
Mr (Exeter) (Lab)
I welcome, through the Minister, the admission by the Secretary
of State last week finally that this flagship scheme is failing,
although the words she used were that it has been
“a bit slow on the uptake”.
They have had 14 years to devise the most cost-effective way of
reducing carbon emissions and people's bills, making homes warmer
and creating good new skilled jobs. When will we have a scheme
that actually works?
I respectfully say to the right hon. Gentleman that we do have
schemes that are working. I remind him that the Department for
Energy Security and Net Zero has launched a £1 billion Great
British installation scheme, which aims to upgrade around 300,000
of the country's least energy-efficient homes.
Mr Speaker
I call the SNP spokesperson.
(Angus) (SNP)
The Scottish Government are working at pace to replace polluting
heating systems and improve energy efficiency in Scotland's
building stock, with £1.8 billion being invested in this
parliamentary Session towards heat and energy efficiency measures
and £600 million towards new affordable housing. With the Climate
Change Committee stating that the Scottish Government's heat in
buildings Bill could become the template for the UK, helping
Scotland to decarbonise faster than anywhere else in the UK,
would the Minister like to visit the Scottish Government in
Edinburgh? I can arrange that for her, so that she can see
climate leadership in action.
I reiterate that energy efficiency is incredibly important to us
on the Government Benches and to the Government. I would be happy
to come on a visit to Edinburgh. Indeed, I have already visited
there.
Slightly more enthusiasm might have been welcomed by people
living in England in cold and draughty houses. Nevertheless, it
is not simply our extensive ambition that leaves the UK behind
Scotland, but our delivery, too. Since 2007—[Interruption.] Those
on the Government Benches might want to listen to this. Since
2007, per person, the SNP has built 40% more homes than Tory
England and 70% more homes than Labour Wales and ensured 65% of
the Scottish social rented sector has an energy performance
certificate rating of C or above. Insulation levels in Scotland
are way higher than in England. It is clear that the UK
Government have materially failed to abate the demand side of the
energy system to any meaningful extent. What will the Minister
do, in the few weeks they have left in office, to atone for this
glaring betrayal of bill payers?
Unlike the hon. Gentleman, we have not abandoned our targets, and
there has been good progress and improved household energy
efficiency. Around half of our homes—48% in England—have now
reached the Government's 2035 target of achieving an EPC rating
of C, up from 14% in 2010.
Climate Change
(Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)
9. What steps her Department is taking to tackle climate change.
(902936)
The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero ()
Britain is the first major economy to halve emissions, while
growing the economy by 80%. We have more ambitious targets for
2030 than the EU, with the UK aiming for a 68% reduction in
emissions, compared with its 55%. We have over-achieved on all
carbon budgets to date and remain on track for the next.
At COP28, the UK, alongside nearly 200 countries, agreed to the
transition away from fossil fuels. Since then, the Government
have recklessly granted new oil and gas licences and pushed
legislation through this House to max out North sea fossil fuels.
Will the Minister meet the 50 cross-party parliamentarians who
last week signed a letter urging the Government to show climate
leadership and join the Beyond Oil and Gas Allowance, which aims
to phase out oil and gas production ahead of COP29?
I thank the hon. Member for raising that important issue. That is
why we are proud that we have already taken 70% out of the oil
and gas sector.
(St Ives) (Con)
Hydrotreated vegetable oil is a good alternative to ripping out
heating systems that already exist in rural homes. We have heard
today about the cost to rural homes as we try to address the
impact of using less fossil fuels. Will the Government get behind
the opportunity for HVO in rural communities to give householders
a chance to contribute to reducing harmful emissions in their
homes?
My hon. Friend has always championed his local constituents to
ensure that they get value for money. We must explore all
potential options, local or national, to find the best way to
deliver energy security and lower bills in future.
District Heating Network Consumers
(Edinburgh East) (SNP)
10. What assessment she has made of the adequacy of financial
support for district heating network consumers. (902937)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero ()
The evaluation of our energy support schemes will conclude in
summer 2025. To ensure their bills were fair, supported heat
network customers received an average of £1,200 via the energy
discount scheme, which closed last month.
That is rather disappointing. I have more than 100 constituents
in the Greendykes area of Edinburgh who get their heating and hot
water from a communal district heating scheme. The Government
have refused to offer them price protection, saying instead that
this should be regulated by the business regulation scheme, but
that ended on 31 March, leaving those people with no protection
at all and facing increases of up to 500% in their energy bills.
My constituents want to know: why did the Government wait until
the business scheme finished before considering alternative
protection for these domestic customers? Why take a year to get
them protected and what compensation are the Government going to
offer in the meantime?
I hear the passion with which the hon. Gentleman stands up for
his constituents, and rightly so, given the circumstances that
they find themselves in. We are introducing regulations with
Ofgem powers to investigate and intervene where prices for
consumers appear to be unfair, and to ensure that all heat
network consumers receive a high-quality service from their
providers. I am happy to meet him to discuss this in greater
detail.
(North East Bedfordshire)
(Con)
District heating networks are a good innovation and the
Government have a good record of stimulating these projects
around the country, but the hon. Member for Edinburgh East
() is right to say that the
regulation in this area needs looking at. Can I reassert what he
has just said and ask the Minister to carefully come forward with
protections to ensure that consumers on shared heating networks
are not at a disadvantage compared with people who pay their
bills directly?
I am pleased to give that assurance to my hon. Friend. As I have
said, we are talking to Ofgem right now about introducing
regulations to make this much fairer and simpler and to ensure
that consumers on heat networks get the service that they
deserve.
Berwick Bank Wind Farm
(Rutherglen and Hamilton
West) (Lab)
11. What discussions she has had with the Scottish Government on
the Berwick Bank wind farm project. (902938)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero ()
The planning decision is devolved to the Scottish Government.
Officials will work together to resolve cross-border matters. The
UK Government are committed to effective co-operation with the
Scottish Government on this and other issues, supporting our
shared energy security and net zero objectives.
I thank the Minister for his answer and for the promise that
officials will work together, but he will be aware that this is a
4.1 GW renewables project that could be the largest offshore wind
farm in the world, delivering over £8 billion to the UK economy.
The only reason that it is not eligible for this year's contract
for difference auction is the Scottish Government's failure to
make a decision on consent for the project. Has the Minister or
anyone in his Department spoken to Scottish Ministers about the
impact of this decision on investment in our economy, and to
ensure that the consenting for offshore wind process is sped up
so that we do not miss out on the tens of billions of investment
and the thousands of jobs that a project such as this would
deliver?
The UK Government work closely and collaboratively with the
Scottish Government on a whole host of areas, especially energy
security and net zero. However, this is a live planning issue,
and whether it is in the jurisdiction of Westminster or Holyrood,
we do not comment on live planning cases given their
quasi-judicial status.
Nuclear Energy Capacity
(Harrow East) (Con)
12. What steps she is taking to increase nuclear energy capacity.
(902939)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero ()
The civil nuclear road map reconfirmed the Government's ambition
to deploy up to 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050. The road map sets
out plans to make investment decisions concerning 3 GW to 7 GW
every five years between 2030 and 2044.
Clearly it is important to have a mixed economy in terms of
energy production, and nuclear has to play its part. What action
is my hon. Friend taking to ensure that the development of small
modular nuclear reactors is enhanced and brought forward, because
that is the fastest way to get nuclear energy into our
network?
I completely agree with my hon. Friend. The small modular reactor
technology selection process—the fastest of its kind in the
world, I might add—continues to progress quickly and is currently
in the tender phase, allowing vendors to bid for potentially
multibillion-pound technology development contracts. Companies
will have until June to submit their tender responses, at which
point Great British Energy will evaluate bids and negotiate final
contracts. The aim is to announce successful bids later this
year.
(Strangford) (DUP)
The Minister is always quick and keen to ensure that all parts of
this great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
have advantages. When it comes to the technology to which the
question refers, when will Northern Ireland get the same
advantage?
As the hon. Gentleman knows, I am keen to ensure that every part
of our great United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
benefits from the expansion of nuclear power and the benefits
that it can bring, not only for meeting our net zero objectives
but for the economies in which these small modular reactors will
be built. I would be happy to meet him at any time to explore
what benefits can be accrued in Northern Ireland from the
expansion of our nuclear capacity here in the UK.
Carbon Budget Delivery Plan: High Court Judgment
(Nottingham East) (Lab)
13. What assessment she has made of the potential implications
for her policies of the High Court judgment of 3 May 2024
relating to the Government's carbon budget delivery plan.
(902941)
The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero ()
The Government are immensely proud of our record on climate
change. We have cut emissions faster than any other G20 country
over the last decade. The judgment contains no criticism of our
detailed plans or the policies themselves, which will keep the UK
on track to meet net zero by 2050.
The Government have a legal and moral duty to meet our carbon
emissions target. Failure to do so would consign my generation,
and generations after mine, to a future of climate catastrophe,
so it is beyond a joke that the Government's carbon budget
delivery plan has now been ruled unlawful, not just once but
twice. When will the Minister tell the flat earthers sitting
behind him to stop trying to make net zero a culture war issue,
and instead deliver a transition that both meets our climate
obligations and improves people's living standards?
Our carbon budget delivery plan has over 300 detailed policies.
We are recognised as a leader internationally, having already cut
emissions by half—the first major economy to do so—with a further
ambitious target to get to 68% by 2030, compared with just 55%
for the shadow Secretary of State's beloved EU.
Prepayment Meters: Compensation
(Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)
15. What estimate she has made of the number of households
receiving compensation after being involuntarily fitted with
prepayment meters. (902943)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero ()
The energy suppliers are responsible for paying compensation.
They have carried out 150,000 assessments so far, with 2,500
customers due compensation. A total of 1,502 payments have been
made, with 1,000 more planned.
Despite the energy ombudsman ruling that one of my constituents
should not have been placed on a prepayment meter due to her
vulnerabilities, she has not been awarded a penny of compensation
under the scheme. As the Minister has just outlined, only 1,500
people, out of 150,000, have had any compensation awarded at all.
That is 1%, so why is the number so small? Could it be that the
energy suppliers themselves, overseen by Ofgem, are deciding who
is entitled to these payments? Both sat idly by as agents forced
their way into people's homes to install the prepayment
meters.
I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and for the
opportunity to provide clarity. The forced installation of
prepayment meters is clearly unacceptable, and the Government
have done everything we can to counteract it. However, I
reiterate that 150,000 investigations were carried out, in 2,500
of those cases compensation is due and, instead of 1%, the actual
figure on compensation is 60%.
Fuel Poverty
(Selby and Ainsty) (Lab)
16. What estimate she has made of the number of households that
were in fuel poverty in winter 2023-24. (902944)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero ()
The policy on fuel poverty is devolved. Statistics for England
estimate that 3.17 million households were in fuel poverty in
2023, which is more than 1.5 million fewer than in 2010.
The best way to cut fuel poverty is through a nationwide home
upgrade scheme, but the Secretary of State seems unaware of the
reality when it comes to home upgrades. Her officials said in
recent documents given to the High Court that progress to
decarbonise the UK's building stock has been slow, that policy
gaps remain and that the Government are lagging behind. Why will
she not admit in public what her Department tells her in
private?
This Government are committed to making sure that we not only get
energy efficiency but support people with their energy bills.
(Chelmsford) (Con)
Thanks to Government grants, a social housing provider in my
Chelmsford constituency, CHP, has made some great investments in
social housing to help energy efficiency, reduce bills and lower
fuel poverty, but it would like to go further. Will the Minister
discuss with me the ways in which we can help to share the
benefits of those savings so that some of them can be invested in
improving energy efficiency and lowering bills in even more
homes?
My right hon. Friend makes the important point that energy
efficiency is crucial to lowering bills. That is why we have the
social housing decarbonisation fund, which supports local
authorities and housing associations in upgrading social housing
stock below energy performance certificate level C.
Net Zero: Businesses and Investors
(Ellesmere Port and Neston)
(Lab)
17. What recent discussions she has had with businesses and
investors on the Government's net zero targets. (902945)
The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero ()
Our Department's ministerial team meet regularly with industry,
for example through the hydrogen investor forum, the Offshore
Wind Industry Council, the solar taskforce, the green jobs
delivery group, and the cross-cutting Net Zero Council.
Last week, Stellantis, the owner of the Vauxhall car plant in
Ellesmere Port, announced that it would import electric vehicles,
despite the fact that we produce some great electric vans in
Ellesmere Port and want to move on to producing cars there as
well. Does the Minister think that, over the long term, reaching
our net zero targets through the import of cheaper Chinese
vehicles will be a good or bad thing for the UK car industry?
The hon. Member raises a very important point. One of the
Opposition's main pledges, which is to fully decarbonise the grid
by 2030, could be met only by opening the floodgates to cheap
Chinese imports—the exact thing he is opposed to.
(North Wiltshire) (Con)
Many unwelcome applications for large-scale solar farms, such as
Lime Down in my constituency, are funded by offshore companies
such as Macquarie, which is most famous for letting Thames Water
fall to pieces. What meetings has the Minister had with these
speculative investors to ensure that the people who build solar
farms will be there in 40 years to make sure that they are
removed?
My hon. Friend and constituency neighbour raises an important
point about speculative development. As part of speeding up the
grid queue, in which we have somewhere in the region of 700 GW of
power capacity coming forward, we wish to prioritise shovel-ready
schemes, not speculative schemes.
Topical Questions
(Blaydon) (Lab)
T1. If she will make a statement on her departmental
responsibilities.(902954)
The Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero ()
Since I was last at the Dispatch Box, we have been building up
Britain's energy security. We have taken the next step in the
biggest expansion of nuclear in 70 years, making Britain a
producer of advanced nuclear fuel and pushing Putin out of the
global energy market. Just today, Rolls-Royce announced that it
will invest millions of pounds in bringing new jobs to Sheffield
to manufacture small modular reactors. We have overachieved in
our third carbon budget, which is keeping us on track to reach
net zero, and we are building on our proud record of being the
first major economy to halve emissions. We have invested over
half a billion pounds to help cut energy costs and bills for
schools and hospitals, and we are taking our next steps on
PumpWatch to protect motorists from unfair prices.
Latest figures by National Energy Action show that there are
still 1,875 homes in my constituency with legacy prepayment
meters. What action are the Government taking to remove this
costly burden on families?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. During my career, I have
looked at the issue of prepayment meters for a long time, and one
of the things that I am proudest of is our taking out the premium
that people on prepayment meters were paying.
Dr (Vale of Clwyd) (Con)
T3. I welcome Ofgem's ongoing review of standing charges in
electricity bills. In the North Wales and Merseyside region, the
standing charge is 67.04p per day, compared to an average of
60.10p across the UK. Will the Minister commit to coming back to
the House to provide further comment on this geographical
variation once Ofgem has published the findings of its
review?(902956)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero ()
My hon. Friend makes an important point and is right to pick up
on this matter. I reassure him that I have encouraged and pushed
Ofgem to do more on this issue. Electricity standing charges
include network costs, which reflect the cost of maintaining and
upgrading the transmission and distribution networks across the
country. I am of course happy to meet him to discuss this subject
further.
Mr Speaker
I call the shadow Minister.
(Croydon Central) (Lab)
The National Infrastructure Commission said that the Government
have reversed some progress on net zero. The right hon. Member
for Maidenhead (Mrs May) said that the Government's roll-back on
net zero has put off investors. A member of the Climate Change
Committee has said that we are “not ready at all” for the impact
of extreme weather on our national security. Mad, bad and
dangerous. Will the Secretary of State finally back Great British
Energy and the national wealth fund instead of lurching from
crisis to crisis, not having a plan and selling out Britain?
The Minister for Energy Security and Net Zero ()
We absolutely will not be backing putting the shadow Secretary of
State in charge of UK and British energy companies, piling misery
on to consumer bills. We have unlocked £300 billion of public and
private investment in low-carbon technology since 2010, with
plans for £100 billion more by 2030. Last year alone, we saw an
investment of £60 billion; that is up a staggering 71% on the
previous year.
(Redditch) (Con)
T4. I know the Secretary of State understands the importance of
safeguarding good agricultural land for food production. Will she
update my constituents in Inkberrow and Stock Green on what more
she is doing to ensure that solar panels are placed on car park
and warehouse rooftops, which we have an ample number of in my
constituency?(902957)
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero ()
My hon. Friend is absolutely right that we need to protect the
best and most versatile agricultural land in this country. Unlike
the Opposition, we respect the views of communities up and down
this country, and we will not countenance the industrialisation
of our countryside. However, solar power remains very important.
We are committed to our 70 GW target. In our forthcoming solar
road map, we will set out exactly how we will incentivise the
development of rooftop solar, and development on brownfield and
other sites.
(Gower) (Lab)
T2. Private investors are queuing up to make billions of pounds
of investment in the green industries of the future, but under
this Government, that money has flowed abroad. Under Energy UK's
projections, the UK is now eighth out of eight major countries
for renewable investment up to 2030. How have the Government
allowed that to happen?(902955)
That is simply not the case; we are leading internationally. Last
year alone, there was £60 billion of funding for low-carbon
technology; that is up 71% on the previous year. That is why
other countries turn to our businesses and supply chain for their
expertise—and to us, as we are leading with our policy
framework.
(Chipping Barnet)
(Con)
T5. The switch to electric cars and vans is crucial for improving
air quality and reaching net zero. Will the Government update us
on action being taken to deliver charging points in the right
places, in consultation with residents? [R](902958)
The Government have invested in the Faraday battery challenge, a
£541 million programme to support the research, development and
scale-up of world-leading battery technology in the UK. Since
2022, all new homes and homes undergoing major renovation in
England have been required to have a charge point installed. That
is why we welcome the year-on-year 49% increase in charge
points.
(North Ayrshire and Arran)
(SNP)
T7. Will the Minister confirm whether the Government have dropped
their commitment to consulting on a social energy tariff? If they
have not, can we have an update on progress, given that a social
energy tariff would lift 2.2 million households out of
poverty?(902960)
A social tariff means lots of different things to different
people, but what it ultimately means is ensuring that we support
all vulnerable people. The hon. Member will be aware that the
Government are doing many things to support people; there is the
warm home discount, the cost of living payment, which is £900,
and a variety of other measures.
(Dewsbury) (Con)
T6. While it is important that we support renewable energy
sources, does the Minister agree with me that solar panels should
go on rooftops, not on farmland?(902959)
As my hon. Friend has heard me say already today, solar power is
important, and we remain committed to our 70 GW target. However,
food security is as important as energy security when it comes to
national security. That is why we are protecting the best and
most versatile farmland in the United Kingdom. Unlike the
Opposition, we respect the views of communities up and down the
country; we will ensure that our countryside is not
industrialised, and incentivise companies, individuals and
organisations to invest in rooftop solar, and solar on
brownfield, not greenfield, sites.
Dan Carden (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)
T8. Does the Minister think that a regulator that allows the
poorest to pay the highest bills, and that has overseen the
doubling of energy bills since 2021 and the collapse of 30 energy
companies in the same period, is fit for purpose?(902961)
We are ensuring that energy businesses are able to survive, and
not just through the price caps. This is also a matter for
Ofgem.
(Heywood and Middleton)
(Con)
My constituency is home to Scout Moor, one of the largest onshore
wind farms in Europe, but the north-west also has amazing
potential for offshore wind; an example is the Morgan and
Morecambe development off the coast of Lancashire. Such projects
require huge amounts of infrastructure to be realised.
Notwithstanding the reassurances that my right hon. Friend has
already given, will she ensure that community consent is part of
any infrastructure projects of this kind?
My hon. Friend raises an important matter. Absolutely; that is
part of our forward planning in making sure that we can unlock
the huge potential in every region of our United Kingdom.
(Tiverton and Honiton)
(LD)
T9. Under Ofgem's price cap, which has just come into effect,
people with the most poorly insulated rural homes can expect to
pay an additional £340 on their annual energy bills. Will the
Minister expand insulation schemes, particularly for people
living in rural areas?(902962)
The hon. Gentleman's question covers a few issues. One of the
most important things is to look at how the standing charges are
made up. That is why we have encouraged Ofgem to answer our call
for input. Insulation schemes are incredibly important as well,
which is why the Government are committed to supporting so many
of them.
(Rother Valley)
(Con)
Hydrogen is the only viable alternative to natural gas for a
balanced, reactive and carbon-zero electricity grid. The UK has
32 gas power plants, all of which could be cheaply and easily
retrofitted to burn hydrogen as a natural gas. What is the
Department doing to encourage this sort of retrofitting, so that
we can allow technologies to decarbonise electricity generation
and take advantage of the many benefits of hydrogen?
I thank my hon. Friend for that rather surprising question on
hydrogen. The Government recognise the value of hydrogen in
supporting a decarbonised and secure power system. We intend to
publish soon our response to the December 2023 hydrogen-to-power
market intervention consultation, and we will soon legislate for
decarbonisation readiness requirements, so that new-build or
substantially refurbished combustion power plants are built net
zero ready.
(Motherwell and Wishaw)
(SNP)
In the last 12 months, one in five households, or one in four
young households, in energy debt have turned to illegal money
lenders to help pay for bills and everyday essentials. The End
Fuel Poverty Coalition has stated that the crisis could mean that
young households spend years at the mercy of these loan sharks.
What assessment has the Minister made of the merits of working
with Ofgem and energy suppliers in order to introduce support to
alleviate this record-high energy debt?
The hon. Member makes an incredibly important point, and I have
had many conversations with her on this matter. I can reassure
her that I meet Ofgem regularly to discuss this, as the issue is
very close to my heart—hence the call for input. To give her
further reassurance, I can tell her that earlier this week, I met
energy suppliers, and I also have ongoing meetings with Citizens
Advice and other stakeholders.
Sir (Kenilworth and Southam)
(Con)
Like others, I welcome what the Government have already done to
extend the permitted development rights for rooftop solar and car
park canopies, but may I encourage my hon. Friend to tell others
in Government who have responsibility for planning that there are
considerable benefits to car park canopies, particularly in
hotter summers?
I thank my right hon. and learned Friend for his question. I urge
him to bide his time and have patience, because in the next few
weeks we will publish our solar road map, which will expand on
exactly how we will work with other Government Departments, and
indeed industry, to ensure that we benefit from the huge
advantages that we have in the number of rooftops available for
the deployment of solar capacity across the UK.
Mr (East Londonderry)
(DUP)
There has indeed been a significant increase in domestic
insulation schemes in recent years. However, will the Minister
agree to increase the number of conversations with devolved
institutions, so that we can see a genuinely nationwide revival
of insulation schemes that, individually, can do more to reduce
the dependency on high energy costs for those at maximum risk, in
social housing and elsewhere?
Clearly, energy efficiency is incredibly important, which means
that making sure that we get the correct insulation schemes is
also incredibly important. I give the hon. Gentleman my assurance
that we are doing everything we can to ensure that that
insulation takes place.
(Truro and Falmouth)
(Con)
Given the floating offshore wind manufacturing investment scheme
funding recently awarded to Wales, can the Minister please advise
me on when A&P Falmouth, which is to be a vital part of the
supply chain for the only successful project in allocation round
4, will be put on the reserve list? The Minister has promised to
meet me on several occasions. Can I ask that we expedite that
much as possible?
I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend to discuss this
matter. Indeed, I am determined to ensure that ports that were
not successful in the FLOWMIS process can take advantage of the
huge increase that we expect in the deployment of floating
offshore wind capacity off the coast of the United Kingdom. I am
happy to meet my hon. Friend and, indeed, any other Member of
Parliament who represents a port that was not successful through
the FLOWMIS procedure to discuss how we can move this
forward.
(Bath) (LD)
Community energy can deliver so many renewable energy products
and save on energy bills. Last year in Bath, a community energy
project putting rooftop solar on schools saved schools £130,000.
When will the Government remove the barriers to community
energy?
As a result of the Energy Act 2023, we launched a consultation
and a multimillion-pound fund to help to support the expansion of
community energy across the United Kingdom. It would be great to
have the Liberal Democrats' support in the effort that this party
and this Government are making to ensure that the benefits of
community energy are felt up and down the length and breadth of
the country.
Sir (Chingford and Woodford
Green) (Con)
As we go to net zero, surely we also need to retain our sense of
human rights. Polysilicon mostly comes from Xinjiang, where it is
mined using slave labour. To what extend are we prepared to say
that net zero trumps slave labour, and are we checking on slave
labour products in the arrays?
I can assure my right hon. Friend that we are indeed ensuring
that the extent to which slave labour is used is kept very much
at a minimum, if at all, in the supply chain of any of the
components coming to advance us towards net zero. The solar road
map, as referred to earlier, will set out in greater detail how
the Government will work with industry to ensure that there are
no slave labour components to any of the parts we are importing
to develop our renewable technology.
(Glasgow Central)
(SNP)
My constituent from Govanhill is being passed backwards and
forwards between Utilita Energy and the Department for Work and
Pensions. He receives income-related employment and support
allowance and should be entitled to the warm home discount, but
neither Utilita nor the DWP is able to give him the money he is
entitled to. He applied in September last year. Will the Minister
intervene and make sure he gets the money he is due?
I encourage the hon. Lady to write to me on this particular issue
and I will look into it.
(Rutland and Melton)
(Con)
I put on record my heartfelt thanks to the Secretary of State and
the Minister for Nuclear and Renewables for the action they took
last week to put food security, alongside renewable energy, at
the heart of local planning decisions. What are the Government
doing to ensure that all councils immediately enact that policy,
because it is both for local councils and for Government? Will
existing soil assessments stand for nationally significant
infrastructure projects, or will they be redone?
I thank my hon. Friend for her question and her kind words. I am
pleased to confirm to the House that my hon. Friend the Minister
for Housing, Planning and Building Safety has written to all
local authorities to draw their attention to the statement last
week, which underlined our robust policy on solar farms on our
best and most versatile agricultural land. Local planners should
know this Government are serious about solar being put in the
right places, and not on the best and most versatile agricultural
land.
Mr Speaker
I call the Chair of the Energy Security and Net Zero
Committee.
(Na h-Eileanan an
Iar) (Ind)
Tapadh leat, Mr Speaker. Zonal pricing has the potential to lower
bills for households from Sussex to Shetland, from Stonehaven to
the great town of Stornoway. Of course some vested interests will
be concerned, such as energy generating companies that are
benefiting from the constraint payments raised from customer
bills. What are the Government doing to stimulate debate and
knowledge about zonal pricing?
It was a pleasure on my return as a Minister to attend the hon.
Gentleman's Select Committee, which he chairs so well. This is
part of stage 2 of our wider consultation under our review of
electricity market arrangements, and we take on board his and his
Committee's constructive suggestions in that meeting.
(Barrow and Furness) (Con)
A key tool in our arsenal against climate change must be
sequestering carbon. It was a pleasure last week to see the
Morecambe bay net zero peak cluster vision launched, which could
decarbonise 40% of our cement and lime industries, securing a
gigatonne of carbon under Morecambe bay. Can I encourage my hon.
Friend the Minister to meet me to discuss the project
further?
I would be delighted to meet my hon. Friend at any time, and I am
happy to discuss this and any other matter relating to the
subject.
Mr Speaker
With the final question, I call Sir .
Sir (South Holland and The Deepings)
(Con)
Thank you, Mr Speaker. Now that the Government have recognised
the importance of versatile and productive agricultural land in
respect of solar, will they recognise too the threat of a
monstrous string of pylons stretching right down the east coast
of England? We either care about our green and pleasant land or
we do not—for, as Keats understood, truth is beauty and beauty,
truth.
My right hon. Friend will know that we value taking communities
with us and working with them. I am having a number of meetings
on this very subject to look at new technologies to see what
additional options there could be to support local communities as
we rapidly upgrade our national grid network.
