:00:00. > :00:00.her ministerial team. First question today from, making, concerning the
:00:00. > :00:15.EU's renewable heat targets. Questions to the Secretary of State
:00:16. > :00:23.for Energy and Climate Change. Question number two, Mr Speaker. A
:00:24. > :00:28.reformed domestic supply obligation from 2017 which will run for five
:00:29. > :00:33.years will upgrade the energy efficiency of over 200,000 homes per
:00:34. > :00:37.year, tackling the root cause of fuel poverty. The extension to the
:00:38. > :00:42.warm homes discount in 2021, at current levels of ?300 million per
:00:43. > :00:47.annum, would also help vulnerable households with energy bills. We
:00:48. > :00:51.intend to focus the efforts through eco-and the warm home discount more
:00:52. > :00:56.effectively and we will be consulting on the future approach in
:00:57. > :01:03.the spring. I thank the Minister for her answer. Fuel poverty is a sign
:01:04. > :01:09.of inequality. New research by the National charity has found that one
:01:10. > :01:13.in two low-income households are struggling to afford energy costs
:01:14. > :01:17.despite being in work. Many households rely on in work social
:01:18. > :01:21.assistance. Can I ask the Secretary of State if she or her Cabinet
:01:22. > :01:25.colleagues have made an assessment of the effect of welfare reform on
:01:26. > :01:32.low-income households judged to be in fuel poverty? We do in fact, in
:01:33. > :01:37.my department, work closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to
:01:38. > :01:43.ensure the support we give goes to the most honourable. Energy costs
:01:44. > :01:51.are always at the centre of our minds in this government. -- most
:01:52. > :01:56.vulnerable. When Hastings, Motherwell and the rest of the
:01:57. > :02:01.United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union in the referendum, we
:02:02. > :02:05.hope to abolish the 5% VAT on domestic fuel bills, which will
:02:06. > :02:11.really help those suffering from fuel poverty. Is that something you
:02:12. > :02:14.would welcome? The honourable gentleman will be aware that this
:02:15. > :02:19.government is focused always on making sure that the bills are kept
:02:20. > :02:23.down for householders in all constituencies. I would tactfully
:02:24. > :02:31.suggest that the Chancellor might have something to say about reducing
:02:32. > :02:33.VAT income on such a service. Evidence has suggested that
:02:34. > :02:37.disproportionately raw raw communities are affected or
:02:38. > :02:42.adversely by fuel poverty. One way of combating this is with the
:02:43. > :02:46.development of domestic energy syndicates, collective purchasing,
:02:47. > :02:50.if you will. What proactively should be department can do and should be
:02:51. > :02:56.doing to support such initiatives? The honourable gentleman is right
:02:57. > :03:00.and we are ensuring there is a focus on oral areas which often have the
:03:01. > :03:04.largest problem with fuel poverty. My partner works closely with
:03:05. > :03:13.various community energy schemes to make sure we assist them and we will
:03:14. > :03:21.continue to do so. David" top cat" Davies. LAUGHTER
:03:22. > :03:27.Fine by me, Mr Speaker. Would the honourable lady agree with me that
:03:28. > :03:32.renewable energies are two to three times more expensive than fossil
:03:33. > :03:38.fuels, and therefore the more renewables we use, the more fuel
:03:39. > :03:41.poverty we will create. The question should be intelligible to people
:03:42. > :03:49.beyond it. The explanation is that the middle initials are TC. My
:03:50. > :03:56.apologies. I don't share that view, I think energy supplies should be a
:03:57. > :04:00.mix and that means a combination of fossil fuels and renewable energy,
:04:01. > :04:04.and investing in renewable energy is an essential part of energy security
:04:05. > :04:13.as well as reducing carbon emissions and meeting targets.
:04:14. > :04:21.With permission, I will answer this question, question 18 together. We
:04:22. > :04:24.are currently considering the indications of the Paris outcome
:04:25. > :04:31.domestically and with EU partners. The 2015 target of at least 80%
:04:32. > :04:36.reduction from the 1990 baseline is already in statute and we are set on
:04:37. > :04:41.meeting it. We look forward to meeting the carbon targets later
:04:42. > :04:44.this year. The floods over the last few weeks are a reminder of the
:04:45. > :04:48.effects of climate change. As we have known for a while, these
:04:49. > :04:54.extreme weather events are here to stay. Given the government claims
:04:55. > :05:00.for the UK ambition at the Paris climate change talks, why were they
:05:01. > :05:05.at the same time undermining policies? I don't accept we are
:05:06. > :05:10.undermining those policies. What we are trying to do is get the right
:05:11. > :05:14.balance to support policies, support renewable energy, but also look
:05:15. > :05:17.after the bill payer and make sure not too much is added to their
:05:18. > :05:22.bills. I would remind the honourable lady that the UK is responsible for
:05:23. > :05:27.1% of the world's emissions. The success of Paris is that we deal
:05:28. > :05:33.with nearly 100% of the world's emissions, and that is where we will
:05:34. > :05:37.see the real difference in change. I hope the Secretary of State will
:05:38. > :05:41.agree that delivering the Paris climate agreement requires a cross
:05:42. > :05:45.departmental approach. If that is the case, can she explain why there
:05:46. > :05:49.appears to be no mention of climate change in the remit of the national
:05:50. > :05:55.infrastructure commission. Can she urged colleagues to remedy that, and
:05:56. > :05:56.can she say the rapid need for deep carbonisation will be a
:05:57. > :06:02.non-negotiable criteria for every single one of its projects. I thank
:06:03. > :06:06.the honourable lady for bringing up the national infrastructure
:06:07. > :06:11.commission. I had a preliminary meeting with the head of it, and we
:06:12. > :06:14.will shortly consult on which projects to prioritise. I can say
:06:15. > :06:18.the projects they have already said they will look at in our sector,
:06:19. > :06:26.which is interconnected as, systems operations, will be important for
:06:27. > :06:30.delivering on the less carbon future, and it will play an
:06:31. > :06:35.important role in getting cross-party consensus on getting the
:06:36. > :06:40.investment we need going forward. The secretary of state will be aware
:06:41. > :06:45.that the legally binding UK commitment is about 30 or 40% faster
:06:46. > :06:49.than that signed up by the EU in Paris. Some countries like Austria
:06:50. > :06:55.have increased emissions by about 20% since 1990. What discussions
:06:56. > :06:57.that she planned to have with her colleagues in Europe regarding
:06:58. > :07:03.getting their process up to the same level as the UK? You raise an
:07:04. > :07:09.interesting point. The fact is that the UK is leading in this area. Not
:07:10. > :07:14.only in terms of the commitment to the Climate Change Act, but also the
:07:15. > :07:18.structure of the commitment of fewer carbon emissions. The transparency
:07:19. > :07:21.of the regime and the five-year review. I will talk to colleagues in
:07:22. > :07:26.Europe to make sure they also step up and participate in the important
:07:27. > :07:32.sharing decisions taking place this year. The Secretary of State's words
:07:33. > :07:38.are one thing, but credibility with the public is another. My
:07:39. > :07:41.constituents are worried about jobs and renewables and our real
:07:42. > :07:46.commitment as a country to the deal we made in Paris. Will the Secretary
:07:47. > :07:50.of State be absolutely clear, is she going to do any more to protect
:07:51. > :07:55.worked in the renewables sector that affects my constituents? I know the
:07:56. > :07:59.honourable lady will be concerned about offshore wind, so close to her
:08:00. > :08:11.constituency. I hope she will share with me and welcome that Dong energy
:08:12. > :08:15.wants to invest ?6 million by 2020, which will be important for offshore
:08:16. > :08:22.element. Having signed up to the Paris agreement and with the UK
:08:23. > :08:26.agreements on this basis, we will see more investment and her
:08:27. > :08:30.constituents will benefit as well. Can I ask the Secretary of State, if
:08:31. > :08:34.Paris happened one year ago, would you still make the same
:08:35. > :08:38.announcements you have made in the last six months, adversely affecting
:08:39. > :08:43.onshore wind and solar, impacting badly on jobs and investor
:08:44. > :08:47.confidence. I don't accept the honourable member's interpretation
:08:48. > :08:50.of the announcements I have made. Those announcements have set out a
:08:51. > :08:53.clear path in getting a balance between making sure we continue to
:08:54. > :08:58.support renewable energy and getting the investment we need and also
:08:59. > :09:02.looking after people's bills. Paris was a triumph, let's recognise the
:09:03. > :09:06.fact it starts to bring other countries up to the high standards
:09:07. > :09:18.that the UK has placed on it and we encourage further investment. The
:09:19. > :09:22.decision to pull ?1 billion. The Prime Minister said we have to make
:09:23. > :09:25.decisions about technology that works and technology not working.
:09:26. > :09:30.How was that assessment made given the competition had not yet been
:09:31. > :09:35.completed? We don't rule out carbon capture and storage in the future.
:09:36. > :09:41.This government made substantial investments through the entrepreneur
:09:42. > :09:44.fund through early starts. We have industrialised carbon capture and
:09:45. > :09:48.storage operating and testing in Teesside. The decision was made not
:09:49. > :09:52.to have a ?1 billion investment, and it was a difficult decision made in
:09:53. > :09:55.a difficult spending round, but we recognised carbon capture and
:09:56. > :09:59.storage will have an important future in a low-carbon economy. The
:10:00. > :10:02.Prime Minister said it wasn't working, but the Secretary of State
:10:03. > :10:09.says it will work. One of them is clearly wrong, Mr Speaker. In his
:10:10. > :10:11.list of technology that was working, the Prime Minister included
:10:12. > :10:15.small-scale nuclear reactors. Can I ask the Secretary of State where
:10:16. > :10:20.this technology is working, and whether it is working as the Prime
:10:21. > :10:24.Minister would claim, why does it require ?250 million of taxpayer
:10:25. > :10:28.money? I can bring together some of the questions by highlighting the
:10:29. > :10:32.investment we are making in innovation. Innovation is an area
:10:33. > :10:37.where is we think we can see great steps forward in renewable energy
:10:38. > :10:42.and technology that will help to develop important new technologies
:10:43. > :10:45.to renewable energy. For instance, at Paris different countries came
:10:46. > :10:49.together to double investment in this area and I believe carbon
:10:50. > :10:50.capture and storage and small modular reactors will benefit from
:10:51. > :11:07.that investment going forward. This has told us further away, now
:11:08. > :11:13.we are on falls short of it by some 10% or 187 million tonnes, it is
:11:14. > :11:18.also predicted we will miss out 2020 renewal target. Could she explained
:11:19. > :11:22.precisely what steps you will be taking in the remainder of this
:11:23. > :11:30.Parliament to make good on the Prime Minister's. The UK is leading the
:11:31. > :11:36.way in order to cut emissions? I don't accept his depressing
:11:37. > :11:41.interpretation of our progress towards our targets. Our green new
:11:42. > :11:46.Bulls targets are difficult to make, but I can point out we have exceeded
:11:47. > :11:53.the interim target. We know we need to make more progress to do so,
:11:54. > :11:56.which is why I working across departments to make sure actions
:11:57. > :12:01.taken on heat and transport. In terms of the fourth carbon budget,
:12:02. > :12:04.it was recognised in 2011 that there was a problem with it and it is
:12:05. > :12:09.about making sure now that we put in place policies necessary to meet it.
:12:10. > :12:18.But being no doubt, we remain committed to doing that. The
:12:19. > :12:25.honourable member will be aware that the cost of UK reaction to reduce
:12:26. > :12:28.emissions is already committed. The Paris agreement will help ensure
:12:29. > :12:37.that all countries acting, helping to make sure climate change
:12:38. > :12:44.effectively addressed. Greater opportunities for UK business in low
:12:45. > :12:48.carbon transformation. Thank you for the answer, but would she accept
:12:49. > :12:54.that the estimates suggesting the UK is on track predate the cuts to the
:12:55. > :12:58.budget under allergic date: meaning that meeting the 2 degrees target
:12:59. > :13:06.would require further support from the government, particularly for low
:13:07. > :13:10.carbon generation. I do accept that this government needs to put in
:13:11. > :13:15.place more policies in order to make sure we beat our carbon budgets,
:13:16. > :13:21.which we have just been referring to. I would also point out how it
:13:22. > :13:25.the Palace climate change agreement is not as ambitious as the ambition
:13:26. > :13:28.that we already have in place through the climate change act,
:13:29. > :13:34.which is legally binding and is delivered through our carbon
:13:35. > :13:37.budgets. She rightly says the Palace climate agreement is not as
:13:38. > :13:44.ambitious as the climate change bill we have. National action plans and
:13:45. > :13:50.Palace commit the world's 22.7 degrees of warming. Bush outlined
:13:51. > :13:58.what or conversation she has had with her counterparts in Europe
:13:59. > :14:03.before the next uptake in 2018? She raises a very important point, the
:14:04. > :14:06.current proposals only achieve a reduction of 2.7 degrees and we
:14:07. > :14:10.would be ambitious to make sure we reached not only to degrees but
:14:11. > :14:14.would like to see it go further. There will be conversations this
:14:15. > :14:20.year to make sure we meet their EU renewables targets. We have
:14:21. > :14:25.discussions ahead of us, but the triumph of the Paris agreement is
:14:26. > :14:29.that it is not just the UK, but the whole of the world, where the
:14:30. > :14:38.largest emitters like China and India, are also participating.
:14:39. > :14:44.Number seven. With permission, Alain answer this question with number 13.
:14:45. > :14:48.My honourable friends will be aware that the agreement reached in Paris
:14:49. > :14:56.in December was a historic step forward. Almost 200 countries
:14:57. > :14:59.committed to climate action, there will now be follow-up work in the UN
:15:00. > :15:05.to agree the detailed rules and prepare for the five-year reviews.
:15:06. > :15:09.Does she agree that the deal agreed in Paris actually sees the world is
:15:10. > :15:15.signing up for the approach adopted by the UK in tackling climate change
:15:16. > :15:21.is in marked and she confident her approach means we will meet the
:15:22. > :15:25.goals agreed in Paris? He's absolutely right. The UK can take
:15:26. > :15:28.pride in the structure that was put together in Paris, because it mimics
:15:29. > :15:32.in some way the climate change act we have put in place so many years
:15:33. > :15:37.ago. The five-year review, the transparency, we need to combat all
:15:38. > :15:40.the time with an improved offer, it's absolutely the right way to go
:15:41. > :15:45.and I'm confident we'll be able to deliver on that. I'm excited about
:15:46. > :15:50.talking further to my international partners to make sure we have the
:15:51. > :15:57.right system to deliver it. Does she agree that making sure all countries
:15:58. > :16:00.who have signed up to the agreement submit regular and full updates and
:16:01. > :16:06.that data on progress is crucial, so we can see which countries are
:16:07. > :16:13.actually sticking to the agreement? He raises a very important point.
:16:14. > :16:17.Transparency in these reviews is absolutely essential and it is
:16:18. > :16:21.something that the UK for very hard for during the Paris negotiations,
:16:22. > :16:25.to make sure that when other countries come back with their
:16:26. > :16:30.five-year reviews, they have actually made it clear, so we can be
:16:31. > :16:34.certain that carbon emissions are being reduced. New figures from this
:16:35. > :16:47.department show that renewables are the biggest source of carbon
:16:48. > :16:50.reduction. Will she sure her department's own commitment to this
:16:51. > :16:56.vital sector by now accepting the case for the inclusion of projects
:16:57. > :16:59.in the period of renewables obligation, which have attracted
:17:00. > :17:07.significant investment and achieved all the technical requirements to
:17:08. > :17:17.meet the cut-off date of June 2015, including the farm in my
:17:18. > :17:23.constituency. The renewable industry, offshore wind and onshore
:17:24. > :17:27.is wind are great success story. It is a great opportunity for export
:17:28. > :17:30.for business and am happy to say a number of ministers spoke to me
:17:31. > :17:36.about this in Paris and I think there will be great opportunities.
:17:37. > :17:41.As regards individual wind Farms, I must ask her to write me separately,
:17:42. > :17:47.so a look at those. But I remind her that on the side of the house we are
:17:48. > :17:58.committed to making sure we deliver on our carbon targets while keeping
:17:59. > :18:01.the bills down. Number eight. Firstly, I'm delighted to see him
:18:02. > :18:21.fully recovered and back in his place. We support AD and wind, with
:18:22. > :18:26.full support from the government. These technologies can make a
:18:27. > :18:31.valuable contribution to our decarbonisation targets and we will
:18:32. > :18:44.continue to support them. Thank you. I recently met with residents at my
:18:45. > :18:51.surgery to discuss AD and biogas. Does she agree with me that compared
:18:52. > :18:53.to wind solo, biogas has anything since delivering consistent and
:18:54. > :19:00.reliable amounts of energy into the network? I do absolutely agree,
:19:01. > :19:05.there are real benefits for the UK in having a wide range of renewable
:19:06. > :19:08.energy sources, but he's quite right to point out that as the sector
:19:09. > :19:15.develops in the UK, biogas technologies could bring additional
:19:16. > :19:25.benefits, Inc including injecting into the gas grid and transporting.
:19:26. > :19:29.In her letter to other departments on the 29th of October, the
:19:30. > :19:34.Secretary of State, who I congratulate on her letter of
:19:35. > :19:38.stressing the importance of reaching renewable targets to recover to
:19:39. > :19:43.departments, she indicated that the highest potential for additional
:19:44. > :19:47.renewable heat is from bio methane injection into the grid, but you'll
:19:48. > :19:51.is said we would face a shortfall against part of that target related
:19:52. > :20:02.to the heat sector, even if support for her agreed measures was agreed
:20:03. > :20:06.in the spending review. Now that she does have the reduced amount of
:20:07. > :20:12.money for the renewables up to 2020, does she consider that amount is
:20:13. > :20:17.going to enable us to reach our heat targets by 2020? And if not, what
:20:18. > :20:21.new proposals will she be bringing forward to make sure that this
:20:22. > :20:28.investment in the sector that can enable us to reach that target? He
:20:29. > :20:33.is right to point out that we had a good settlement in the comprehensive
:20:34. > :20:38.spending review. We were very pleased with the commitment in this
:20:39. > :20:42.pension review to enhancing increasing renewable heat
:20:43. > :20:47.insensitive, and we're making good progress towards that. He will
:20:48. > :20:52.realise the fourth carbon budget is for a 23 to 27 and he wouldn't
:20:53. > :20:57.expect us to meet it today. Putting plans in place and working towards
:20:58. > :21:02.that progress as we speak, and we'll be continuing to set out plans
:21:03. > :21:06.choosing this year. Despite more effective use of packaging, better
:21:07. > :21:10.date labelling and programmes by supermarkets to distribute unsold
:21:11. > :21:14.food, we still generate substantial quantities of food waste. Does she
:21:15. > :21:19.agree that using this resource to generate electricity is better than
:21:20. > :21:23.sending it to landfill? I completely agree with them, and recently, I
:21:24. > :21:26.went to see a proposed new project in my own county of
:21:27. > :21:31.Northamptonshire, which is looking to use landfill to create a
:21:32. > :21:34.renewable heat scheme. There are contrasting the ideas coming
:21:35. > :21:38.forward, and I admire officials was very keen to hear about them and
:21:39. > :21:46.support them where we can. Number nine, please. And I commend my
:21:47. > :21:48.honourable friend for the first not commitment he has shown to
:21:49. > :21:54.researching best practice in this area. The government is committed to
:21:55. > :21:59.protecting our most valuable spaces from server strolling of wells for
:22:00. > :22:06.fracking. On the 4th of November, we set out how we plan to do this and
:22:07. > :22:12.will issue a response to our industry consultation closed on
:22:13. > :22:16.December 16 as soon as possible. I very much welcome the minister's
:22:17. > :22:21.comments. The task force Rush Elgar first called for a single regulator
:22:22. > :22:26.and increased levels of individual monitoring. But the ministers agree
:22:27. > :22:28.this would improve public confidence and provide further protection,
:22:29. > :22:36.particularly for a more sensitive areas? The task force is 2015 report
:22:37. > :22:41.says that the regulatory regime is currently fit for purpose, but my
:22:42. > :22:45.honourable friend rightly points out their proposal that if a shield gas
:22:46. > :22:49.industry does develop, the government should consider creating
:22:50. > :22:53.a bespoke regulator and I can is your him we will keep the regulatory
:22:54. > :22:58.regime under review to make sure it remains fit for purpose. This second
:22:59. > :23:01.point about independent monitoring, I entirely agree with them and that
:23:02. > :23:08.is why we are already grant funding baseline monitoring in
:23:09. > :23:12.Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. Does the Minister accept that is
:23:13. > :23:19.widespread opposition to fracking in all parts of Britain? Will she
:23:20. > :23:23.congratulate, as I have done, the residents in Bolsover for refusing
:23:24. > :23:29.to allow drilling operation and getting it stopped, not all made by
:23:30. > :23:38.the local authority, but by her own inspectorates? I think it's quite
:23:39. > :23:43.extraordinary at honourable members opposite continually talk about the
:23:44. > :23:47.potential for shale is as if it is some kind of disaster. The
:23:48. > :23:53.honourable gentleman himself comes amid very honourable and
:23:54. > :23:59.long-standing mining area. Mining has a legacy that we will be dealing
:24:00. > :24:04.with for many years to come. The shale industry offers the
:24:05. > :24:10.opportunity to really create a new home-grown energy source that is
:24:11. > :24:19.vital for our energy security into the next decade. When will the
:24:20. > :24:21.Secretary of State produce some legally enforceable protection
:24:22. > :24:29.against service level fracking in our national parks and areas of
:24:30. > :24:36.interest? Hopefully, she will have heard my initial comments, which is
:24:37. > :24:40.that we have been able to put forward a proposal to restrict
:24:41. > :24:43.surface gelling in any of our most protected areas, not limited to
:24:44. > :24:49.national parks, but including many other valuable spaces, through the
:24:50. > :24:52.licensing, and as things stand, we are waiting for our report and
:24:53. > :24:56.response of the industry consultation that closed on December
:24:57. > :25:05.16, and we will be announcements very soon. Question number ten. As
:25:06. > :25:12.more domestic community and business generators come on stream, the
:25:13. > :25:17.demand for a grid connection is increasing. Accommodating this is
:25:18. > :25:21.the responsibility of the network companies, overseen by Jen. Network
:25:22. > :25:28.companies publish long-term plans to see how a generation will be
:25:29. > :25:35.managed. She might want to look at the ten year statement as a good
:25:36. > :25:39.example of this. Let's face it, the National Grid is notorious for
:25:40. > :25:45.stifling new energy projects. Given that the tough bill involves
:25:46. > :25:48.devolving stations up to 350 megawatts, but not transmission, how
:25:49. > :25:49.will the Minister work with the Welsh government to make sure this
:25:50. > :26:18.isn't a empty promise. about 1.7 billion of this is for the
:26:19. > :26:20.distribution company that is responsible for North Wales that
:26:21. > :26:26.includes the Lady's own constituency. Does the Minister
:26:27. > :26:33.share my concern is that in the short to medium turn our energy
:26:34. > :26:36.security might be put at risk if capacity markets put in place to
:26:37. > :26:41.bring forward new gas capacity, not only fails to bring forward new gas
:26:42. > :26:47.capacity, but also works to make current gas capacity, such as
:26:48. > :26:50.provided by the power station in my constituency, to be no longer
:26:51. > :26:57.worthwhile doing, and that comes off stream. I can tell the honourable
:26:58. > :27:02.gentleman we have just completed the second capacity market auction,
:27:03. > :27:05.achieved a very competitive price for consumers, and as you will know,
:27:06. > :27:08.a top row or two for this covenant is to keep the bills down. At the
:27:09. > :27:19.same time we can ensure national Grid has the tools at its disposal
:27:20. > :27:26.to don't share his concerns. We want to bring a new gas, but there are
:27:27. > :27:31.not concerns about renewable energy. Number 11. Solar is an enormous UK
:27:32. > :27:36.success story and one this government continues to support. As
:27:37. > :27:40.my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said yesterday, 98% of all
:27:41. > :27:52.solar deployment has taken place since 2010. We announce the feeder
:27:53. > :27:57.tariff scheme would remain open. We can potentially deliver 1.2
:27:58. > :28:02.gigawatts across 220,000 installations by 2019. I would like
:28:03. > :28:05.to thank my honourable friend for that answer. I have the opportunity
:28:06. > :28:11.recently of meeting a company in the solar sector industry in my
:28:12. > :28:15.constituency, and was very impressed with the technology innovation and
:28:16. > :28:18.job creation of that company. Would she give me an assurance that the
:28:19. > :28:23.government will do everything possible to continue supporting this
:28:24. > :28:28.important energy source. As my honourable friend will know, it's a
:28:29. > :28:32.key priority to keep consumer bills down, so it's always a balance
:28:33. > :28:36.between supporting what is a superb UK industry with making sure
:28:37. > :28:40.consumer bills remain affordable. We will continue to support the further
:28:41. > :28:45.growth of the sector, but not at any price. So the changes we have made
:28:46. > :28:48.another feeding tariff six to maintain a solar industry which in
:28:49. > :28:53.the medium term can continue to reduce cost and move towards a
:28:54. > :28:59.subsidy free deployment. Could the Minister update the house on what
:29:00. > :29:03.steps she is taking to make sure the rate of VAT on solar installations
:29:04. > :29:10.doesn't arise as potentially proposed from 5% to 20%, so
:29:11. > :29:15.affecting about ?9 on average solar installations. He's exactly right to
:29:16. > :29:20.raise this, an important point. He will know this is a result of
:29:21. > :29:23.proceedings by the European Commission who believe our VAT rates
:29:24. > :29:29.on solar installation should be higher than they are. It's something
:29:30. > :29:32.HMRC are looking at closely and consulting on, and taking into
:29:33. > :29:35.account what the outcome of that consultation is, we will look
:29:36. > :29:41.further at the regime we have in place. Bexhill and Battle
:29:42. > :29:45.constituency has a number of thriving solar businesses, some of
:29:46. > :29:48.which I have worked with over the recent changes for feed in tariffs.
:29:49. > :29:55.As the government looks for the industry to expand, can I ask how
:29:56. > :29:58.the Minister will support the delivery of energy storage solutions
:29:59. > :30:04.for existing and future solar systems. My honourable friend is
:30:05. > :30:08.exactly right to point out the huge potential for energy storage to
:30:09. > :30:12.enhance the value of solar installations. My department has
:30:13. > :30:18.provided more than ?18 million of innovation support since 2012 to
:30:19. > :30:22.support and demonstrate a range of technologies. We also investigating
:30:23. > :30:26.the potential barriers to the deployment of energy storage,
:30:27. > :30:29.focusing in the first instance of removing regulatory barriers and we
:30:30. > :30:36.plan to hold a call for evidence in the spring on specifically this
:30:37. > :30:43.area. Many constituencies fear the end of solar. What about the ?1
:30:44. > :30:50.rescue scheme, and what is the response to that? As I think my
:30:51. > :30:55.right honourable friend and I have made clear on many occasions, there
:30:56. > :31:00.is a fine balance. As a new technology, as the costs come down,
:31:01. > :31:04.as they have done so with this excellent UK solar industry, so we
:31:05. > :31:09.must focus on the needs of people in this country to be able to afford
:31:10. > :31:14.their energy bills. Fuel poverty is an enormous problem here. What we
:31:15. > :31:19.don't want to do is over subsidise, so it's a fine balance. We think our
:31:20. > :31:23.results in December to the consultation provide that fine
:31:24. > :31:26.balance, giving a 5% investment return to installations on solar.
:31:27. > :31:37.That's fair to consumers and the industry. EU minimum import prices
:31:38. > :31:43.on Chinese, Taiwanese and Malaysians sells inflate the cost of an average
:31:44. > :31:46.solar installation by ?385. The Minister is working to extract the
:31:47. > :31:50.UK from this, but will she update the house on her progress and set a
:31:51. > :31:56.date by which she hopes to end these price controls. I certainly agree
:31:57. > :32:03.with my honourable friend that this is an unwelcome drain on the UK
:32:04. > :32:07.solar industry. I also agree it would be fairer and simpler to
:32:08. > :32:15.remove it while the UK review is under review. It's one for the
:32:16. > :32:18.commission, not member states. The anti-dumping and anti-subsidy
:32:19. > :32:21.regulations require the commission to maintain existing trade defence
:32:22. > :32:30.measures while the expiry review takes place. It could be some months
:32:31. > :32:35.yet. Last year the solar trade Association estimated 27,000 workers
:32:36. > :32:39.would lose their jobs as a result of the government proposed 87% cut to
:32:40. > :32:44.the feed in tariff. Following public outcry, which included both sides of
:32:45. > :32:48.the house, her department reduced the cut to 64%, saving around 8000
:32:49. > :32:52.jobs. Something I'm sure the Minister would love to take credit
:32:53. > :32:56.for. However, can she say what the message is to the remaining 19,000
:32:57. > :33:02.solar workers who now face redundancy in the coming year as a
:33:03. > :33:06.result of the tariff cuts? What I can say to the honourable gentleman
:33:07. > :33:14.is that UK solar is a huge success story. It has grown rapidly since
:33:15. > :33:20.2010 with enormous support from energy consumers in the UK. As we
:33:21. > :33:24.have said time and again, there is a balance. We absolutely welcome the
:33:25. > :33:28.jobs and growth that has been provided in the sector, but what we
:33:29. > :33:35.can't do is to continue to support jobs just through bill payer
:33:36. > :33:39.subsidy, it's not fair. What our members can ensure is that there is
:33:40. > :33:43.good potential for the industry to continue to grow and jobs be
:33:44. > :33:51.supported whilst bills remain affordable. Number 12. The
:33:52. > :33:54.government is making it quicker and easier for consumers to switch
:33:55. > :33:58.supplier and moved to the best value tariffs. We have a national
:33:59. > :34:01.switching campaign, worked with the industry to cut the time it takes to
:34:02. > :34:08.switch to 17 days, and are working with Ofgem to move towards reliable
:34:09. > :34:13.next day switching. We also are working to wards and energy
:34:14. > :34:19.switching guarantee to be produced later this year. It's the vulnerable
:34:20. > :34:23.customers where this is particularly important, and they should be able
:34:24. > :34:27.to find the best value tariffs. Would she say more about what the
:34:28. > :34:29.government is doing to spread that message and ensure these consumers
:34:30. > :34:36.are getting the best deals available. Would she agree with me
:34:37. > :34:40.that perhaps organisations such as carers organisations and children's
:34:41. > :34:45.centres that support vulnerable younger families, that they could
:34:46. > :34:49.have a role to play. I do agree with my right honourable friend, it's
:34:50. > :34:52.absolutely essential that we improve access for vulnerable people to the
:34:53. > :34:57.switching that could provide such great benefits. If people can
:34:58. > :35:04.benefit from a ?200 saving on energy bill, it's no good unless they can
:35:05. > :35:08.access it. That's why we have launched the big energy saving
:35:09. > :35:10.network, and are ensuring vulnerable people who particularly need the
:35:11. > :35:15.improvement of the energy bills this can deliver can access it. One of
:35:16. > :35:17.the ways this is done to is through the citizens advice bureau. We will
:35:18. > :35:26.look at other suggestions put forward. It has been identified that
:35:27. > :35:31.the sticky customer base are not being served well by their energy
:35:32. > :35:34.suppliers. Something like 70% of those customers on the standard
:35:35. > :35:38.variable tariff are paying over the odds. As the secretary looked into
:35:39. > :35:42.the suggestion I have made in the last year and before that, that we
:35:43. > :35:48.need to protect those customers as well, with maybe a default or
:35:49. > :35:53.protection tariff to make sure suppliers provide tariffs that are
:35:54. > :35:57.fair to their customers. The Right Honourable Lady raises an important
:35:58. > :36:01.point, and it's helpful to have the suggestion about the competition and
:36:02. > :36:05.market authority who have just begun to include in their consideration
:36:06. > :36:07.the issue of vulnerable customers on prepayment meters. We are interested
:36:08. > :36:12.in the recommendations they will make over the next few months, we
:36:13. > :36:16.hope, to make sure we look after vulnerable customers who are not
:36:17. > :36:20.able to switch. We have said before that we will take seriously and act
:36:21. > :36:27.on the recommendations they make to make sure we look after those
:36:28. > :36:30.customers who haven't engaged in switching, but should be doing so,
:36:31. > :36:35.and we look forward to seeing their suggestions on Redmond remedies to
:36:36. > :36:39.do so. I welcome the concern by members across the house for
:36:40. > :36:41.consumers and best value. Last month the Secretary of State agreed to
:36:42. > :36:47.hand out hundreds of millions of pounds in new public subsidies to
:36:48. > :36:51.diesel and coal power generators through the capacity market scheme.
:36:52. > :36:58.Can she tell the house how much family energy bills will rise as a
:36:59. > :37:02.consequence? The capacity market is specifically designed to ensure that
:37:03. > :37:06.energy security is not negotiable. Energy security is something this
:37:07. > :37:09.government takes very seriously. Because of the lack of investment in
:37:10. > :37:13.energy infrastructure over the past decades we have needed to make sure
:37:14. > :37:18.the capacity market is in place to make sure we do not have any problem
:37:19. > :37:23.at all with energy security. Diesel will form a part of the future, but
:37:24. > :37:26.only in very small amounts. Let's remember, is there as back-up, and
:37:27. > :37:31.will be switched on occasionally when it's needed. The condition of
:37:32. > :37:35.the capacity market to people's bills will be a matter of a few
:37:36. > :37:38.pounds. It's astonishing she comes to the house and repeatedly said,
:37:39. > :37:44.and I quote, that the government wants to put as little pressure as
:37:45. > :37:46.possible onto hard-pressed households, and is spectacularly
:37:47. > :37:52.unable to answer a very simple question about how much this will
:37:53. > :37:56.put on to family energy bills. In just one day in December, she agreed
:37:57. > :38:04.to subsidise highly polluting diesel generators to the tune of ?175
:38:05. > :38:08.million, paid for by increasing family energy bills. Can she and is
:38:09. > :38:11.this, are those companies now expected to make returns of more
:38:12. > :38:17.than 20% at the expense of bill payers? What is astonishing is the
:38:18. > :38:22.honourable ladies's lack of understanding of the fact that the
:38:23. > :38:25.capacity market is needed because of Labour's woeful underinvestment in
:38:26. > :38:30.infrastructure under their government. We are left with the
:38:31. > :38:34.consequences of making sure their energy security is completely
:38:35. > :38:37.reliable. The capacity market is essential to ensure that hole is
:38:38. > :38:43.filled. We are proud of the way it has delivered at a second auction
:38:44. > :38:47.just completed. As I said, it's a few pounds, it will be under ?10,
:38:48. > :38:53.and we will ensure that energy security is never going to be a
:38:54. > :39:01.question under this government. Number 14, Mr Speaker. I can assure
:39:02. > :39:05.the honourable member that the good progress is being made. Energy
:39:06. > :39:08.suppliers have now installed over 200 metres in homes and small
:39:09. > :39:16.businesses across Britain ahead of the main installation state this
:39:17. > :39:18.year. -- stage this year. In September 2014 the Public Accounts
:39:19. > :39:23.Committee raised real concerns about the roll-out of smart meters.
:39:24. > :39:26.Recently a former Conservative energy adviser warned the Secretary
:39:27. > :39:33.of State that the roll-out would at best be regarded as a waste of
:39:34. > :39:38.money, and that it is now a ghastly mess, I quote. What are you doing to
:39:39. > :39:43.resolve these problems. I don't agree with that particular position.
:39:44. > :39:48.I think smart meters are going to have a great future in this country.
:39:49. > :39:51.We discussed earlier in these questions the issue of energy
:39:52. > :39:56.security and fuel poverty and smart meters will be a very good way for
:39:57. > :39:59.people to reduce their bills and use less energy, therefore creating less
:40:00. > :40:04.carbon emissions and smart meters are an aborted part. No doubt the
:40:05. > :40:09.introduction of smart meters will help customers control their energy
:40:10. > :40:13.bills. Just so they are aware of the background to this, can the Minister
:40:14. > :40:26.confirm that the UK is rolling out smart meters because of the European
:40:27. > :40:29.Union's directive 2009 Stoke 72 EC. The honourable gentleman is right
:40:30. > :40:34.that the European Union does have directives that give us guidance on
:40:35. > :40:38.this. But there is no question that this initiative of smart meters is
:40:39. > :40:41.of huge advantage to the UK customers, and it's the UK customers
:40:42. > :40:51.and consumers who will always be put first. Number 15, Mr Speaker. As my
:40:52. > :40:54.right honourable friend announced in her November speech, we are
:40:55. > :40:58.committed to the continued growth of UK offshore wind where Britain is
:40:59. > :41:01.already the world leader. This industry is a huge potential source
:41:02. > :41:05.of jobs and growth and we will always focus on maximising UK
:41:06. > :41:09.content in the supply chain. He will appreciate the decision on where to
:41:10. > :41:13.base one company's operations is a commercial decision for them,
:41:14. > :41:16.however, my officials are working closely with the developer can
:41:17. > :41:18.Scottish Gottman to maximise the use of UK Government in his wind farm.
:41:19. > :41:31.-- Scottish Government. Dundee and its port is ideally
:41:32. > :41:37.placed to provide operation maintain and air supply.
:41:38. > :41:42.Well, I absolutely agree with him. I am thinking, recently I visited one
:41:43. > :41:48.of the ports in Scotland, Aberdeen, to hear how they are trying to
:41:49. > :41:51.expand to accommodate not just their growth of offshore wind but the
:41:52. > :41:58.potential for decommissioning in the future. It is vital that whatever
:41:59. > :42:04.our energy policy we focus as far as possible on maximising all the
:42:05. > :42:10.content we can in the supply chain. Number 19, Mr Speaker.
:42:11. > :42:14.The oil and gas industry is vital to our economy, providing over 350,000
:42:15. > :42:19.jobs and the Government is committed to supporting it. Our latest
:42:20. > :42:25.projections show in 2030 oil and gas will still be a core part of our
:42:26. > :42:27.energy mix, providing nearly 70% of the UK's primary energy
:42:28. > :42:32.requirements. Our commitment to the industry is why we have established
:42:33. > :42:37.the oil and gas authority which is charged with working the industry to
:42:38. > :42:41.maximise the economic recovery of the UK's gas and oil resources. I
:42:42. > :42:51.thank the minister. The oil and gas industry has asked her Government
:42:52. > :42:55.for further tax relief. And the and a professor has said it is necessary
:42:56. > :43:00.to explore the potential of the North Sea. What considerations has
:43:01. > :43:04.she given to refundable tax credit for exploration?
:43:05. > :43:12.So the honourable lady will be aware that the Chancellor has already
:43:13. > :43:16.significantly improved the fiscal the regime to encourage for
:43:17. > :43:22.exploration in the North Sea basin. We had a series of meetings before
:43:23. > :43:26.Christmas with the oil and gas authority and others to discuss
:43:27. > :43:30.exactly what other measures could take and certainly that further
:43:31. > :43:37.fiscal measure is on the table. So too is the vital importance of
:43:38. > :43:40.getting production costs down, making more efficiencies, sharing
:43:41. > :43:45.infrastructure and that is what the OGA is focussed on doing. I am
:43:46. > :43:48.grateful to my honourable friend for raising that question and the reply.
:43:49. > :43:53.I can acknowledge the work the Government has done in this sector.
:43:54. > :43:57.Can the minister give me her assurance in the lead up to the
:43:58. > :44:03.Budget in March that she will leave no stone unturned in ensuring this
:44:04. > :44:07.vet lally important industry secures the support it needs at this
:44:08. > :44:12.difficult time? I am grateful to my honourable friend who has done so
:44:13. > :44:16.much - #230e cusses so much on this -- focuses so much on this sector.
:44:17. > :44:21.We are focussed on what can be done in all areas to try and support this
:44:22. > :44:26.vital UK sector. THE SPEAKER: Order. Topical
:44:27. > :44:31.questions. Mr Mann. Topical one, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, my thoughts are
:44:32. > :44:36.with all of those affected by the recent flooding. Energy security is
:44:37. > :44:42.our number one priority. We are working closely with the industry to
:44:43. > :44:48.look at the risks, including severe weather, to put protections in place
:44:49. > :44:52.and stop disruptions. We have ensured that power is restored to
:44:53. > :44:57.customers as soon as possible in very challenging circumstances.
:44:58. > :45:05.Everyone in this chamber benefits this year from the electricity the
:45:06. > :45:10.cool burnt - coal burnt at power stations. What contingency
:45:11. > :45:17.arrangement has been reached with EDF to ensure that in 2026 and
:45:18. > :45:22.beyond, when we don't have enough power available, the decision to
:45:23. > :45:28.close down coal-based power stations can be reversed? Well, Mr Speaker,
:45:29. > :45:33.can I reassure the honourable gentleman that we are moving to a
:45:34. > :45:37.consultation on ending coal-fired pou irstations by 2025 -- power
:45:38. > :45:40.stations by 2025. I am sure he'll want to participate in it. This
:45:41. > :45:45.Government is taking the long-term view on getting the right mix of
:45:46. > :45:49.decarbonising and having nerge security. That is why we are making
:45:50. > :45:55.this plan well ahead of time. It is ten years ahead. Thank you, Mr
:45:56. > :45:59.Speaker. Given the revisions to the feed-in tariffs which will come into
:46:00. > :46:04.force, has my friend made assessment on the likely effects on the solar
:46:05. > :46:10.industry, particularly in the south west, where the sun nearly always
:46:11. > :46:15.shines? Well, of course, he's absolutely right the sun always
:46:16. > :46:20.nearly shines there. It is a great place for solar has been a
:46:21. > :46:28.spectacular success there. The tariffs aim to give it sited with
:46:29. > :46:35.well-sighted projects. Around 5% for solar. We believe this will be by
:46:36. > :46:40.2021 save up to ?330 million a year to bill payers. At the same time
:46:41. > :46:43.enable 220,000 new installations to be subsidised under the new feeding
:46:44. > :46:48.tariff. Thank you. Can I welcome the
:46:49. > :46:51.Secretary of State's update to the House on the actions take no-one
:46:52. > :46:56.response to the floods. Particularly welcome the Prime Minister's
:46:57. > :46:59.decision to set up a cross-Whitehall review of the Government's approach
:47:00. > :47:03.to flood defences, which will consider the rising flood risk posed
:47:04. > :47:08.by climate change. Mr Speaker, we know now that the last review, in
:47:09. > :47:13.2014, which was also led by the member for West Dorset met just
:47:14. > :47:18.three times and didn't publish a single finding K the Secretary of
:47:19. > :47:21.State confirm to the House that she personally attends this committee?
:47:22. > :47:26.Can she tell us whether it has met yet? Can she tell us how often it
:47:27. > :47:31.plans to meet? Which independent expeshts are on it and what this
:47:32. > :47:35.time -- expects are on it and what she time she expects it to achieve?
:47:36. > :47:39.This Government takes seriously the impact of climate change and the
:47:40. > :47:45.fact it has had such a devastating impact in terms of the flooding
:47:46. > :47:52.recently. I can reassure here that we participated, this department, in
:47:53. > :47:56.regular meetings of COBRA on a almost daily basis, to ensure that
:47:57. > :48:02.electricity source were restored as quickly as possible. The review will
:48:03. > :48:06.take place and we will keep a careful, watchful eye on making sure
:48:07. > :48:11.it does meet and make sure it looks carefully at what impact it has had.
:48:12. > :48:15.Thank you, Mr Speaker. What steps is the Government taking to address the
:48:16. > :48:21.increasing shortage of skills in the nuclear industry? Well, we have
:48:22. > :48:25.already taken a lot of action to tackle the skills problem at a all
:48:26. > :48:29.levels, from programmes to attract more school children to stem
:48:30. > :48:34.careers, to apprenticeships and training at all levels, as well as
:48:35. > :48:38.setting in train work for transfer of skills from wider sectors. He's
:48:39. > :48:45.right to highlight the need for new nuclear skills. Hiply will provide
:48:46. > :48:50.25,000 jobs and 1,000 apprenticeships. Thank you Mr
:48:51. > :48:57.Speaker. It suggests 18700 jobs could be lost as a result of the 65%
:48:58. > :49:02.reduction to the solar feed-in tariff. What loss in income tax will
:49:03. > :49:09.this mean to Government, in light of the ?16 billion fall short of tax
:49:10. > :49:14.receipts last year? What is the combined effect if HMC press forward
:49:15. > :49:19.with the increase of tax to solar installations? I can assure the
:49:20. > :49:23.honourable gentleman this Government remains committed to the on-going
:49:24. > :49:27.success of the solar industry. As I explained in an earlier reply. What
:49:28. > :49:33.we cannot do is simply keep jobs going as a result of subsidy. Our
:49:34. > :49:38.best guess under our tariff is that will support up to 23,000 jobs in
:49:39. > :49:43.the solar sector. Of course it is up for the sector to bring down the
:49:44. > :49:46.costs, as far as possible, to reach a subsidy-free stage by 2020. Of
:49:47. > :49:50.course we will do everything we can, as I have said, if the VAT rate has
:49:51. > :49:55.to go up, then we will look at what more we can do within the tariff to
:49:56. > :50:01.ensure we don't penalise the sector. Thank you. Can I refer the House to
:50:02. > :50:05.my register, the register of interests as chairman of globe
:50:06. > :50:10.international, which held a successful summit recently in Paris
:50:11. > :50:18.as part of a process. Can I ask the Secretary of State, does she agree
:50:19. > :50:21.with me that the world's leading network of parliamentarians devoted
:50:22. > :50:27.to leadership, legislative leadership in climate change, has a
:50:28. > :50:33.key role to play to make sure it is reality. And to meet with me p to
:50:34. > :50:37.make sure this is achieved? Well, I thank the honourable gentleman for
:50:38. > :50:44.his question. I am aware that Globe is one of the largest forums on
:50:45. > :50:48.sustainable development. I acknowledge his important role in
:50:49. > :50:52.chairing it. I will be delighted to meet him to discuss how we can
:50:53. > :50:57.promote parliamentarian international development on this
:50:58. > :51:02.important subject. I was absolutely delighted when the minister said in
:51:03. > :51:09.June at her renewable summit that we will remove subsidies. When does she
:51:10. > :51:15.expect the subsidies to disappear completely? Projects just off the
:51:16. > :51:20.coast of the honourable member's constituency provide enough
:51:21. > :51:23.electricity for over 100,000 homes, follows hundreds of millions
:51:24. > :51:28.invested by the developer, much of which was spent locally. I am sure
:51:29. > :51:32.he'll welcome that. We have to get the balance between supporting newer
:51:33. > :51:39.technologies and being tough on subsidies to keep bills as low as
:51:40. > :51:49.possible. We will work towards getting technology subsidy, free.
:51:50. > :51:53.By far and aware in the EU one third of electricity comes from that
:51:54. > :51:58.source. China has 50 stations under construction. We need small modular
:51:59. > :52:05.reactors. Can the minister set up her plans and in this regard?
:52:06. > :52:09.Nuclear is an important part of our energy future. I am very proud we
:52:10. > :52:18.have signed the first new nuclear deal in over 20 years. It will have
:52:19. > :52:22.an important part. We are using part of our substantial innovation
:52:23. > :52:28.funding to make sure we bring them on as early as possible. It will not
:52:29. > :52:36.be at the expect of reactors going forward. Smaller nuclear is what we
:52:37. > :52:43.will aim for. Earlier this week the SNP agreed a support package to
:52:44. > :52:49.retain staff at DL and Clydebridge steel plans, this will address
:52:50. > :52:55.costs. Can I ask what consideration the Secretary of State or of Cabinet
:52:56. > :52:59.colleagues va given to bringing forward a co-her hent strategy to
:53:00. > :53:04.address the high energy costs facing businesses across the UK? We are
:53:05. > :53:07.well aware of the importance of keeping energy costs down in order
:53:08. > :53:13.to support businesses and households. My honourable friend,
:53:14. > :53:18.the Prime Minister, announced that intensives would be given a specific
:53:19. > :53:21.package of support and that has got state aid clearance and will be put
:53:22. > :53:27.in place as soon as possible. The minister will be aware that just
:53:28. > :53:33.before Christmas, the European Commission announced new tariffs in
:53:34. > :53:39.Malaysian power and they would back these to May last year. That could
:53:40. > :53:44.result in many solar companies having an unwant and devastating tax
:53:45. > :53:48.-- unwanted and devastating tax bill. Will she make sure this does
:53:49. > :53:51.not happen? I think the honourable gentleman is right to raise this. It
:53:52. > :53:57.is a real concern that in spite of the fact that the cost of solar
:53:58. > :54:02.panels have developed dramatically, nevertheless in Europe they remain
:54:03. > :54:06.higher than elsewhere in the world as a result of the import tariffs.
:54:07. > :54:09.The commissioner was writ on the explaining how bad this is for the
:54:10. > :54:14.onof going success of the UK industry. We will do everything we
:54:15. > :54:19.can to ensure that those get removed as soon as possible.
:54:20. > :54:24.Mr Speaker, we were disapointed in the Humber last year not to be
:54:25. > :54:28.granted the national wind college in the locality, especially in light of
:54:29. > :54:34.the renewables which is important to the future of the Humber area. I
:54:35. > :54:40.wonder if ministers would meet with me and representatives to discuss
:54:41. > :54:44.what can be done to promote a national wind college to promote
:54:45. > :54:50.funding in the area. I would be delighted to meet with her and
:54:51. > :55:00.colleagues. I had a huge u poer to see the new blade -- I - there have
:55:01. > :55:05.been new jobs and apprenticeships in her area. I think we should do
:55:06. > :55:08.everything we can to promote this northern energy powerhouse, which is
:55:09. > :55:15.taking off and doing so well. THE SPEAKER: There is an arm of
:55:16. > :55:21.opposition members to catch my eye. I say to the member that I don't
:55:22. > :55:25.want him to feel excluded. If he wishes to contribute now we will
:55:26. > :55:30.happily hear him. Not at the moment. As soon as he wants to, he can. Mr
:55:31. > :55:49.Newlands. These households are more likely to
:55:50. > :55:54.have prepaid metres. These are ?200 more ex-penive per year. Can the
:55:55. > :56:01.speck of state tell me what she will do to make sure they have
:56:02. > :56:08.availability to lower prices, as those on other methods?
:56:09. > :56:15.In Paisley and Renfrewshire North, there have been eco-measures that
:56:16. > :56:20.will help your constituents. 119 measures per 100,000 households to
:56:21. > :56:26.be installed by 2015, compared to the average 77 per thousand in the
:56:27. > :56:31.rest of the UK. Rest assured we are focused on making sure bills stay
:56:32. > :56:36.low and making sure fuel poverty is addressed and the ecosystem is one
:56:37. > :56:41.of the best ways to do that. In Northern Ireland one in five
:56:42. > :56:48.pensioners are defined as living in income poverty. 65% of those are in
:56:49. > :56:55.fuel poverty. What about the dealings with colleagues in Northern
:56:56. > :56:58.Ireland to address these issues? Keeping fuel poverty up they are
:56:59. > :57:02.making sure we can keep bills down is a absolute priority. Regarding
:57:03. > :57:11.the statistics, I'd have to write to him. Outside Hinkley Point C, the
:57:12. > :57:16.proposed new power station the government is considering, this
:57:17. > :57:20.means yet again the government will be held to hostage. No guaranteed
:57:21. > :57:26.programme, high profits for the suppliers, extortionate rates
:57:27. > :57:29.agreed, for the just to users. Should the government not do the
:57:30. > :57:37.decent thing and rethink this nuclear at all cost policy? The
:57:38. > :57:40.government thinks nuclear reactors are an important part of delivering
:57:41. > :57:45.on a low carbon future. There is a great opportunity to make sure we
:57:46. > :57:49.develop skills. On the particular example he has referred to, I will
:57:50. > :57:54.ensure my department looks at it carefully and comes back with
:57:55. > :57:58.answers. In her attempt to explain the hugely unpopular cuts to solar,
:57:59. > :58:02.the Secretary of State constantly pretends it's about reducing costs
:58:03. > :58:05.to householders. Given industry analysis shows solar costs around
:58:06. > :58:12.half the cost of Hinckley over 35 years and save consumers around ?15
:58:13. > :58:16.billion, how can she keep justifying such blatant double standards when
:58:17. > :58:20.it comes to nuclear power? The honourable ladies not dealing with
:58:21. > :58:25.the facts. The facts are that the solar changes will still deliver 5%
:58:26. > :58:30.yields to people who put them up. The fact is that nuclear provides
:58:31. > :58:33.important baseload. When the sun isn't shining, or when the wind
:58:34. > :58:41.isn't blowing. The honourable lady can have her own views but not her
:58:42. > :58:47.own facts. Last, but never forgotten, Mr Skinner. With the
:58:48. > :58:58.Chinese economy hitting the buffers, week after week, does it make sense
:58:59. > :59:01.to continue with this Chinese connection of nuclear power in
:59:02. > :59:06.Britain? Isn't it time it was abandoned? A shine has been knocked
:59:07. > :59:14.off it every single day. Change your mind. Can I reassure the honourable
:59:15. > :59:18.gentleman that we are ambitious for this country, confident in our
:59:19. > :59:21.regulations, open for business, and if the Chinese want to make a
:59:22. > :59:25.substantial investment in delivery new nuclear then we will be able to
:59:26. > :59:32.take it and make a great success of it. Order, business question. Chris
:59:33. > :59:39.Bryant. We'll be leader give us the business for this week and next week
:59:40. > :59:43.and all the rest? Probably not all the rest, Mr Speaker, but the
:59:44. > :59:47.business next week on Monday the 11th, we will debate the remaining
:59:48. > :59:51.stages of the Armed Forces Bill. After that, a general debate on
:59:52. > :59:55.local government funding for rural areas nominated by the backbench
:59:56. > :59:58.business committee. On Tuesday the 12th, the conclusion of the
:59:59. > :00:03.remaining stages of the Housing and planning Bill. On Wednesday the
:00:04. > :00:07.13th, an opposition day with a debate on trade exports, innovation
:00:08. > :00:14.and productivity in the name of the Scottish National party. On Thursday
:00:15. > :00:15.the 14th, another day of business nominated by the backbench business