Live Energy and Climate Change Questions House of Commons

her ministerial team. First question today from, making, concerning the

EU's renewable heat targets. Questions to the Secretary of State

for Energy and Climate Change. Question number two, Mr Speaker. A

reformed domestic supply obligation from 2017 which will run for five

years will upgrade the energy efficiency of over 200,000 homes per

year, tackling the root cause of fuel poverty. The extension to the

warm homes discount in 2021, at current levels of ?300 million per

annum, would also help vulnerable households with energy bills. We

intend to focus the efforts through eco-and the warm home discount more

effectively and we will be consulting on the future approach in

the spring. I thank the Minister for her answer. Fuel poverty is a sign

of inequality. New research by the National charity has found that one

in two low-income households are struggling to afford energy costs

despite being in work. Many households rely on in work social

assistance. Can I ask the Secretary of State if she or her Cabinet

colleagues have made an assessment of the effect of welfare reform on

low-income households judged to be in fuel poverty? We do in fact, in

my department, work closely with the Department for Work and Pensions to

ensure the support we give goes to the most honourable. Energy costs

are always at the centre of our minds in this government. -- most

vulnerable. When Hastings, Motherwell and the rest of the

United Kingdom votes to leave the European Union in the referendum, we

hope to abolish the 5% VAT on domestic fuel bills, which will

really help those suffering from fuel poverty. Is that something you

would welcome? The honourable gentleman will be aware that this

government is focused always on making sure that the bills are kept

down for householders in all constituencies. I would tactfully

suggest that the Chancellor might have something to say about reducing

VAT income on such a service. Evidence has suggested that

disproportionately raw raw communities are affected or

adversely by fuel poverty. One way of combating this is with the

development of domestic energy syndicates, collective purchasing,

if you will. What proactively should be department can do and should be

doing to support such initiatives? The honourable gentleman is right

and we are ensuring there is a focus on oral areas which often have the

largest problem with fuel poverty. My partner works closely with

various community energy schemes to make sure we assist them and we will

continue to do so. David" top cat" Davies. LAUGHTER

Fine by me, Mr Speaker. Would the honourable lady agree with me that

renewable energies are two to three times more expensive than fossil

fuels, and therefore the more renewables we use, the more fuel

poverty we will create. The question should be intelligible to people

beyond it. The explanation is that the middle initials are TC. My

apologies. I don't share that view, I think energy supplies should be a

mix and that means a combination of fossil fuels and renewable energy,

and investing in renewable energy is an essential part of energy security

as well as reducing carbon emissions and meeting targets.

With permission, I will answer this question, question 18 together. We

are currently considering the indications of the Paris outcome

domestically and with EU partners. The 2015 target of at least 80%

reduction from the 1990 baseline is already in statute and we are set on

meeting it. We look forward to meeting the carbon targets later

this year. The floods over the last few weeks are a reminder of the

effects of climate change. As we have known for a while, these

extreme weather events are here to stay. Given the government claims

for the UK ambition at the Paris climate change talks, why were they

at the same time undermining policies? I don't accept we are

undermining those policies. What we are trying to do is get the right

balance to support policies, support renewable energy, but also look

after the bill payer and make sure not too much is added to their

bills. I would remind the honourable lady that the UK is responsible for

1% of the world's emissions. The success of Paris is that we deal

with nearly 100% of the world's emissions, and that is where we will

see the real difference in change. I hope the Secretary of State will

agree that delivering the Paris climate agreement requires a cross

departmental approach. If that is the case, can she explain why there

appears to be no mention of climate change in the remit of the national

infrastructure commission. Can she urged colleagues to remedy that, and

can she say the rapid need for deep carbonisation will be a

non-negotiable criteria for every single one of its projects. I thank

the honourable lady for bringing up the national infrastructure

commission. I had a preliminary meeting with the head of it, and we

will shortly consult on which projects to prioritise. I can say

the projects they have already said they will look at in our sector,

which is interconnected as, systems operations, will be important for

delivering on the less carbon future, and it will play an

important role in getting cross-party consensus on getting the

investment we need going forward. The secretary of state will be aware

that the legally binding UK commitment is about 30 or 40% faster

than that signed up by the EU in Paris. Some countries like Austria

have increased emissions by about 20% since 1990. What discussions

that she planned to have with her colleagues in Europe regarding

getting their process up to the same level as the UK? You raise an

interesting point. The fact is that the UK is leading in this area. Not

only in terms of the commitment to the Climate Change Act, but also the

structure of the commitment of fewer carbon emissions. The transparency

of the regime and the five-year review. I will talk to colleagues in

Europe to make sure they also step up and participate in the important

sharing decisions taking place this year. The Secretary of State's words

are one thing, but credibility with the public is another. My

constituents are worried about jobs and renewables and our real

commitment as a country to the deal we made in Paris. Will the Secretary

of State be absolutely clear, is she going to do any more to protect

worked in the renewables sector that affects my constituents? I know the

honourable lady will be concerned about offshore wind, so close to her

constituency. I hope she will share with me and welcome that Dong energy

wants to invest ?6 million by 2020, which will be important for offshore

element. Having signed up to the Paris agreement and with the UK

agreements on this basis, we will see more investment and her

constituents will benefit as well. Can I ask the Secretary of State, if

Paris happened one year ago, would you still make the same

announcements you have made in the last six months, adversely affecting

onshore wind and solar, impacting badly on jobs and investor

confidence. I don't accept the honourable member's interpretation

of the announcements I have made. Those announcements have set out a

clear path in getting a balance between making sure we continue to

support renewable energy and getting the investment we need and also

looking after people's bills. Paris was a triumph, let's recognise the

fact it starts to bring other countries up to the high standards

that the UK has placed on it and we encourage further investment. The

decision to pull ?1 billion. The Prime Minister said we have to make

decisions about technology that works and technology not working.

How was that assessment made given the competition had not yet been

completed? We don't rule out carbon capture and storage in the future.

This government made substantial investments through the entrepreneur

fund through early starts. We have industrialised carbon capture and

storage operating and testing in Teesside. The decision was made not

to have a ?1 billion investment, and it was a difficult decision made in

a difficult spending round, but we recognised carbon capture and

storage will have an important future in a low-carbon economy. The

Prime Minister said it wasn't working, but the Secretary of State

says it will work. One of them is clearly wrong, Mr Speaker. In his

list of technology that was working, the Prime Minister included

small-scale nuclear reactors. Can I ask the Secretary of State where

this technology is working, and whether it is working as the Prime

Minister would claim, why does it require ?250 million of taxpayer

money? I can bring together some of the questions by highlighting the

investment we are making in innovation. Innovation is an area

where is we think we can see great steps forward in renewable energy

and technology that will help to develop important new technologies

to renewable energy. For instance, at Paris different countries came

together to double investment in this area and I believe carbon

capture and storage and small modular reactors will benefit from

that investment going forward. This has told us further away, now

we are on falls short of it by some 10% or 187 million tonnes, it is

also predicted we will miss out 2020 renewal target. Could she explained

precisely what steps you will be taking in the remainder of this

Parliament to make good on the Prime Minister's. The UK is leading the

way in order to cut emissions? I don't accept his depressing

interpretation of our progress towards our targets. Our green new

Bulls targets are difficult to make, but I can point out we have exceeded

the interim target. We know we need to make more progress to do so,

which is why I working across departments to make sure actions

taken on heat and transport. In terms of the fourth carbon budget,

it was recognised in 2011 that there was a problem with it and it is

about making sure now that we put in place policies necessary to meet it.

But being no doubt, we remain committed to doing that. The

honourable member will be aware that the cost of UK reaction to reduce

emissions is already committed. The Paris agreement will help ensure

that all countries acting, helping to make sure climate change

effectively addressed. Greater opportunities for UK business in low

carbon transformation. Thank you for the answer, but would she accept

that the estimates suggesting the UK is on track predate the cuts to the

budget under allergic date: meaning that meeting the 2 degrees target

would require further support from the government, particularly for low

carbon generation. I do accept that this government needs to put in

place more policies in order to make sure we beat our carbon budgets,

which we have just been referring to. I would also point out how it

the Palace climate change agreement is not as ambitious as the ambition

that we already have in place through the climate change act,

which is legally binding and is delivered through our carbon

budgets. She rightly says the Palace climate agreement is not as

ambitious as the climate change bill we have. National action plans and

Palace commit the world's 22.7 degrees of warming. Bush outlined

what or conversation she has had with her counterparts in Europe

before the next uptake in 2018? She raises a very important point, the

current proposals only achieve a reduction of 2.7 degrees and we

would be ambitious to make sure we reached not only to degrees but

would like to see it go further. There will be conversations this

year to make sure we meet their EU renewables targets. We have

discussions ahead of us, but the triumph of the Paris agreement is

that it is not just the UK, but the whole of the world, where the

largest emitters like China and India, are also participating.

Number seven. With permission, Alain answer this question with number 13.

My honourable friends will be aware that the agreement reached in Paris

in December was a historic step forward. Almost 200 countries

committed to climate action, there will now be follow-up work in the UN

to agree the detailed rules and prepare for the five-year reviews.

Does she agree that the deal agreed in Paris actually sees the world is

signing up for the approach adopted by the UK in tackling climate change

is in marked and she confident her approach means we will meet the

goals agreed in Paris? He's absolutely right. The UK can take

pride in the structure that was put together in Paris, because it mimics

in some way the climate change act we have put in place so many years

ago. The five-year review, the transparency, we need to combat all

the time with an improved offer, it's absolutely the right way to go

and I'm confident we'll be able to deliver on that. I'm excited about

talking further to my international partners to make sure we have the

right system to deliver it. Does she agree that making sure all countries

who have signed up to the agreement submit regular and full updates and

that data on progress is crucial, so we can see which countries are

actually sticking to the agreement? He raises a very important point.

Transparency in these reviews is absolutely essential and it is

something that the UK for very hard for during the Paris negotiations,

to make sure that when other countries come back with their

five-year reviews, they have actually made it clear, so we can be

certain that carbon emissions are being reduced. New figures from this

department show that renewables are the biggest source of carbon

reduction. Will she sure her department's own commitment to this

vital sector by now accepting the case for the inclusion of projects

in the period of renewables obligation, which have attracted

significant investment and achieved all the technical requirements to

meet the cut-off date of June 2015, including the farm in my

constituency. The renewable industry, offshore wind and onshore

is wind are great success story. It is a great opportunity for export

for business and am happy to say a number of ministers spoke to me

about this in Paris and I think there will be great opportunities.

As regards individual wind Farms, I must ask her to write me separately,

so a look at those. But I remind her that on the side of the house we are

committed to making sure we deliver on our carbon targets while keeping

the bills down. Number eight. Firstly, I'm delighted to see him

fully recovered and back in his place. We support AD and wind, with

full support from the government. These technologies can make a

valuable contribution to our decarbonisation targets and we will

continue to support them. Thank you. I recently met with residents at my

surgery to discuss AD and biogas. Does she agree with me that compared

to wind solo, biogas has anything since delivering consistent and

reliable amounts of energy into the network? I do absolutely agree,

there are real benefits for the UK in having a wide range of renewable

energy sources, but he's quite right to point out that as the sector

develops in the UK, biogas technologies could bring additional

benefits, Inc including injecting into the gas grid and transporting.

In her letter to other departments on the 29th of October, the

Secretary of State, who I congratulate on her letter of

stressing the importance of reaching renewable targets to recover to

departments, she indicated that the highest potential for additional

renewable heat is from bio methane injection into the grid, but you'll

is said we would face a shortfall against part of that target related

to the heat sector, even if support for her agreed measures was agreed

in the spending review. Now that she does have the reduced amount of

money for the renewables up to 2020, does she consider that amount is

going to enable us to reach our heat targets by 2020? And if not, what

new proposals will she be bringing forward to make sure that this

investment in the sector that can enable us to reach that target? He

is right to point out that we had a good settlement in the comprehensive

spending review. We were very pleased with the commitment in this

pension review to enhancing increasing renewable heat

insensitive, and we're making good progress towards that. He will

realise the fourth carbon budget is for a 23 to 27 and he wouldn't

expect us to meet it today. Putting plans in place and working towards

that progress as we speak, and we'll be continuing to set out plans

choosing this year. Despite more effective use of packaging, better

date labelling and programmes by supermarkets to distribute unsold

food, we still generate substantial quantities of food waste. Does she

agree that using this resource to generate electricity is better than

sending it to landfill? I completely agree with them, and recently, I

went to see a proposed new project in my own county of

Northamptonshire, which is looking to use landfill to create a

renewable heat scheme. There are contrasting the ideas coming

forward, and I admire officials was very keen to hear about them and

support them where we can. Number nine, please. And I commend my

honourable friend for the first not commitment he has shown to

researching best practice in this area. The government is committed to

protecting our most valuable spaces from server strolling of wells for

fracking. On the 4th of November, we set out how we plan to do this and

will issue a response to our industry consultation closed on

December 16 as soon as possible. I very much welcome the minister's

comments. The task force Rush Elgar first called for a single regulator

and increased levels of individual monitoring. But the ministers agree

this would improve public confidence and provide further protection,

particularly for a more sensitive areas? The task force is 2015 report

says that the regulatory regime is currently fit for purpose, but my

honourable friend rightly points out their proposal that if a shield gas

industry does develop, the government should consider creating

a bespoke regulator and I can is your him we will keep the regulatory

regime under review to make sure it remains fit for purpose. This second

point about independent monitoring, I entirely agree with them and that

is why we are already grant funding baseline monitoring in

Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire. Does the Minister accept that is

widespread opposition to fracking in all parts of Britain? Will she

congratulate, as I have done, the residents in Bolsover for refusing

to allow drilling operation and getting it stopped, not all made by

the local authority, but by her own inspectorates? I think it's quite

extraordinary at honourable members opposite continually talk about the

potential for shale is as if it is some kind of disaster. The

honourable gentleman himself comes amid very honourable and

long-standing mining area. Mining has a legacy that we will be dealing

with for many years to come. The shale industry offers the

opportunity to really create a new home-grown energy source that is

vital for our energy security into the next decade. When will the

Secretary of State produce some legally enforceable protection

against service level fracking in our national parks and areas of

interest? Hopefully, she will have heard my initial comments, which is

that we have been able to put forward a proposal to restrict

surface gelling in any of our most protected areas, not limited to

national parks, but including many other valuable spaces, through the

licensing, and as things stand, we are waiting for our report and

response of the industry consultation that closed on December

16, and we will be announcements very soon. Question number ten. As

more domestic community and business generators come on stream, the

demand for a grid connection is increasing. Accommodating this is

the responsibility of the network companies, overseen by Jen. Network

companies publish long-term plans to see how a generation will be

managed. She might want to look at the ten year statement as a good

example of this. Let's face it, the National Grid is notorious for

stifling new energy projects. Given that the tough bill involves

devolving stations up to 350 megawatts, but not transmission, how

will the Minister work with the Welsh government to make sure this

isn't a empty promise. about 1.7 billion of this is for the

distribution company that is responsible for North Wales that

includes the Lady's own constituency. Does the Minister

share my concern is that in the short to medium turn our energy

security might be put at risk if capacity markets put in place to

bring forward new gas capacity, not only fails to bring forward new gas

capacity, but also works to make current gas capacity, such as

provided by the power station in my constituency, to be no longer

worthwhile doing, and that comes off stream. I can tell the honourable

gentleman we have just completed the second capacity market auction,

achieved a very competitive price for consumers, and as you will know,

a top row or two for this covenant is to keep the bills down. At the

same time we can ensure national Grid has the tools at its disposal

to don't share his concerns. We want to bring a new gas, but there are

not concerns about renewable energy. Number 11. Solar is an enormous UK

success story and one this government continues to support. As

my right honourable friend the Prime Minister said yesterday, 98% of all

solar deployment has taken place since 2010. We announce the feeder

tariff scheme would remain open. We can potentially deliver 1.2

gigawatts across 220,000 installations by 2019. I would like

to thank my honourable friend for that answer. I have the opportunity

recently of meeting a company in the solar sector industry in my

constituency, and was very impressed with the technology innovation and

job creation of that company. Would she give me an assurance that the

government will do everything possible to continue supporting this

important energy source. As my honourable friend will know, it's a

key priority to keep consumer bills down, so it's always a balance

between supporting what is a superb UK industry with making sure

consumer bills remain affordable. We will continue to support the further

growth of the sector, but not at any price. So the changes we have made

another feeding tariff six to maintain a solar industry which in

the medium term can continue to reduce cost and move towards a

subsidy free deployment. Could the Minister update the house on what

steps she is taking to make sure the rate of VAT on solar installations

doesn't arise as potentially proposed from 5% to 20%, so

affecting about ?9 on average solar installations. He's exactly right to

raise this, an important point. He will know this is a result of

proceedings by the European Commission who believe our VAT rates

on solar installation should be higher than they are. It's something

HMRC are looking at closely and consulting on, and taking into

account what the outcome of that consultation is, we will look

further at the regime we have in place. Bexhill and Battle

constituency has a number of thriving solar businesses, some of

which I have worked with over the recent changes for feed in tariffs.

As the government looks for the industry to expand, can I ask how

the Minister will support the delivery of energy storage solutions

for existing and future solar systems. My honourable friend is

exactly right to point out the huge potential for energy storage to

enhance the value of solar installations. My department has

provided more than ?18 million of innovation support since 2012 to

support and demonstrate a range of technologies. We also investigating

the potential barriers to the deployment of energy storage,

focusing in the first instance of removing regulatory barriers and we

plan to hold a call for evidence in the spring on specifically this

area. Many constituencies fear the end of solar. What about the ?1

rescue scheme, and what is the response to that? As I think my

right honourable friend and I have made clear on many occasions, there

is a fine balance. As a new technology, as the costs come down,

as they have done so with this excellent UK solar industry, so we

must focus on the needs of people in this country to be able to afford

their energy bills. Fuel poverty is an enormous problem here. What we

don't want to do is over subsidise, so it's a fine balance. We think our

results in December to the consultation provide that fine

balance, giving a 5% investment return to installations on solar.

That's fair to consumers and the industry. EU minimum import prices

on Chinese, Taiwanese and Malaysians sells inflate the cost of an average

solar installation by ?385. The Minister is working to extract the

UK from this, but will she update the house on her progress and set a

date by which she hopes to end these price controls. I certainly agree

with my honourable friend that this is an unwelcome drain on the UK

solar industry. I also agree it would be fairer and simpler to

remove it while the UK review is under review. It's one for the

commission, not member states. The anti-dumping and anti-subsidy

regulations require the commission to maintain existing trade defence

measures while the expiry review takes place. It could be some months

yet. Last year the solar trade Association estimated 27,000 workers

would lose their jobs as a result of the government proposed 87% cut to

the feed in tariff. Following public outcry, which included both sides of

the house, her department reduced the cut to 64%, saving around 8000

jobs. Something I'm sure the Minister would love to take credit

for. However, can she say what the message is to the remaining 19,000

solar workers who now face redundancy in the coming year as a

result of the tariff cuts? What I can say to the honourable gentleman

is that UK solar is a huge success story. It has grown rapidly since

2010 with enormous support from energy consumers in the UK. As we

have said time and again, there is a balance. We absolutely welcome the

jobs and growth that has been provided in the sector, but what we

can't do is to continue to support jobs just through bill payer

subsidy, it's not fair. What our members can ensure is that there is

good potential for the industry to continue to grow and jobs be

supported whilst bills remain affordable. Number 12. The

government is making it quicker and easier for consumers to switch

supplier and moved to the best value tariffs. We have a national

switching campaign, worked with the industry to cut the time it takes to

switch to 17 days, and are working with Ofgem to move towards reliable

next day switching. We also are working to wards and energy

switching guarantee to be produced later this year. It's the vulnerable

customers where this is particularly important, and they should be able

to find the best value tariffs. Would she say more about what the

government is doing to spread that message and ensure these consumers

are getting the best deals available. Would she agree with me

that perhaps organisations such as carers organisations and children's

centres that support vulnerable younger families, that they could

have a role to play. I do agree with my right honourable friend, it's

absolutely essential that we improve access for vulnerable people to the

switching that could provide such great benefits. If people can

benefit from a ?200 saving on energy bill, it's no good unless they can

access it. That's why we have launched the big energy saving

network, and are ensuring vulnerable people who particularly need the

improvement of the energy bills this can deliver can access it. One of

the ways this is done to is through the citizens advice bureau. We will

look at other suggestions put forward. It has been identified that

the sticky customer base are not being served well by their energy

suppliers. Something like 70% of those customers on the standard

variable tariff are paying over the odds. As the secretary looked into

the suggestion I have made in the last year and before that, that we

need to protect those customers as well, with maybe a default or

protection tariff to make sure suppliers provide tariffs that are

fair to their customers. The Right Honourable Lady raises an important

point, and it's helpful to have the suggestion about the competition and

market authority who have just begun to include in their consideration

the issue of vulnerable customers on prepayment meters. We are interested

in the recommendations they will make over the next few months, we

hope, to make sure we look after vulnerable customers who are not

able to switch. We have said before that we will take seriously and act

on the recommendations they make to make sure we look after those

customers who haven't engaged in switching, but should be doing so,

and we look forward to seeing their suggestions on Redmond remedies to

do so. I welcome the concern by members across the house for

consumers and best value. Last month the Secretary of State agreed to

hand out hundreds of millions of pounds in new public subsidies to

diesel and coal power generators through the capacity market scheme.

Can she tell the house how much family energy bills will rise as a

consequence? The capacity market is specifically designed to ensure that

energy security is not negotiable. Energy security is something this

government takes very seriously. Because of the lack of investment in

energy infrastructure over the past decades we have needed to make sure

the capacity market is in place to make sure we do not have any problem

at all with energy security. Diesel will form a part of the future, but

only in very small amounts. Let's remember, is there as back-up, and

will be switched on occasionally when it's needed. The condition of

the capacity market to people's bills will be a matter of a few

pounds. It's astonishing she comes to the house and repeatedly said,

and I quote, that the government wants to put as little pressure as

possible onto hard-pressed households, and is spectacularly

unable to answer a very simple question about how much this will

put on to family energy bills. In just one day in December, she agreed

to subsidise highly polluting diesel generators to the tune of ?175

million, paid for by increasing family energy bills. Can she and is

this, are those companies now expected to make returns of more

than 20% at the expense of bill payers? What is astonishing is the

honourable ladies's lack of understanding of the fact that the

capacity market is needed because of Labour's woeful underinvestment in

infrastructure under their government. We are left with the

consequences of making sure their energy security is completely

reliable. The capacity market is essential to ensure that hole is

filled. We are proud of the way it has delivered at a second auction

just completed. As I said, it's a few pounds, it will be under ?10,

and we will ensure that energy security is never going to be a

question under this government. Number 14, Mr Speaker. I can assure

the honourable member that the good progress is being made. Energy

suppliers have now installed over 200 metres in homes and small

businesses across Britain ahead of the main installation state this

year. -- stage this year. In September 2014 the Public Accounts

Committee raised real concerns about the roll-out of smart meters.

Recently a former Conservative energy adviser warned the Secretary

of State that the roll-out would at best be regarded as a waste of

money, and that it is now a ghastly mess, I quote. What are you doing to

resolve these problems. I don't agree with that particular position.

I think smart meters are going to have a great future in this country.

We discussed earlier in these questions the issue of energy

security and fuel poverty and smart meters will be a very good way for

people to reduce their bills and use less energy, therefore creating less

carbon emissions and smart meters are an aborted part. No doubt the

introduction of smart meters will help customers control their energy

bills. Just so they are aware of the background to this, can the Minister

confirm that the UK is rolling out smart meters because of the European

Union's directive 2009 Stoke 72 EC. The honourable gentleman is right

that the European Union does have directives that give us guidance on

this. But there is no question that this initiative of smart meters is

of huge advantage to the UK customers, and it's the UK customers

and consumers who will always be put first. Number 15, Mr Speaker. As my

right honourable friend announced in her November speech, we are

committed to the continued growth of UK offshore wind where Britain is

already the world leader. This industry is a huge potential source

of jobs and growth and we will always focus on maximising UK

content in the supply chain. He will appreciate the decision on where to

base one company's operations is a commercial decision for them,

however, my officials are working closely with the developer can

Scottish Gottman to maximise the use of UK Government in his wind farm.

-- Scottish Government. Dundee and its port is ideally

placed to provide operation maintain and air supply.

Well, I absolutely agree with him. I am thinking, recently I visited one

of the ports in Scotland, Aberdeen, to hear how they are trying to

expand to accommodate not just their growth of offshore wind but the

potential for decommissioning in the future. It is vital that whatever

our energy policy we focus as far as possible on maximising all the

content we can in the supply chain. Number 19, Mr Speaker.

The oil and gas industry is vital to our economy, providing over 350,000

jobs and the Government is committed to supporting it. Our latest

projections show in 2030 oil and gas will still be a core part of our

energy mix, providing nearly 70% of the UK's primary energy

requirements. Our commitment to the industry is why we have established

the oil and gas authority which is charged with working the industry to

maximise the economic recovery of the UK's gas and oil resources. I

thank the minister. The oil and gas industry has asked her Government

for further tax relief. And the and a professor has said it is necessary

to explore the potential of the North Sea. What considerations has

she given to refundable tax credit for exploration?

So the honourable lady will be aware that the Chancellor has already

significantly improved the fiscal the regime to encourage for

exploration in the North Sea basin. We had a series of meetings before

Christmas with the oil and gas authority and others to discuss

exactly what other measures could take and certainly that further

fiscal measure is on the table. So too is the vital importance of

getting production costs down, making more efficiencies, sharing

infrastructure and that is what the OGA is focussed on doing. I am

grateful to my honourable friend for raising that question and the reply.

I can acknowledge the work the Government has done in this sector.

Can the minister give me her assurance in the lead up to the

Budget in March that she will leave no stone unturned in ensuring this

vet lally important industry secures the support it needs at this

difficult time? I am grateful to my honourable friend who has done so

much - #230e cusses so much on this -- focuses so much on this sector.

We are focussed on what can be done in all areas to try and support this

vital UK sector. THE SPEAKER: Order. Topical

questions. Mr Mann. Topical one, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, my thoughts are

with all of those affected by the recent flooding. Energy security is

our number one priority. We are working closely with the industry to

look at the risks, including severe weather, to put protections in place

and stop disruptions. We have ensured that power is restored to

customers as soon as possible in very challenging circumstances.

Everyone in this chamber benefits this year from the electricity the

cool burnt - coal burnt at power stations. What contingency

arrangement has been reached with EDF to ensure that in 2026 and

beyond, when we don't have enough power available, the decision to

close down coal-based power stations can be reversed? Well, Mr Speaker,

can I reassure the honourable gentleman that we are moving to a

consultation on ending coal-fired pou irstations by 2025 -- power

stations by 2025. I am sure he'll want to participate in it. This

Government is taking the long-term view on getting the right mix of

decarbonising and having nerge security. That is why we are making

this plan well ahead of time. It is ten years ahead. Thank you, Mr

Speaker. Given the revisions to the feed-in tariffs which will come into

force, has my friend made assessment on the likely effects on the solar

industry, particularly in the south west, where the sun nearly always

shines? Well, of course, he's absolutely right the sun always

nearly shines there. It is a great place for solar has been a

spectacular success there. The tariffs aim to give it sited with

well-sighted projects. Around 5% for solar. We believe this will be by

2021 save up to ?330 million a year to bill payers. At the same time

enable 220,000 new installations to be subsidised under the new feeding

tariff. Thank you. Can I welcome the

Secretary of State's update to the House on the actions take no-one

response to the floods. Particularly welcome the Prime Minister's

decision to set up a cross-Whitehall review of the Government's approach

to flood defences, which will consider the rising flood risk posed

by climate change. Mr Speaker, we know now that the last review, in

2014, which was also led by the member for West Dorset met just

three times and didn't publish a single finding K the Secretary of

State confirm to the House that she personally attends this committee?

Can she tell us whether it has met yet? Can she tell us how often it

plans to meet? Which independent expeshts are on it and what this

time -- expects are on it and what she time she expects it to achieve?

This Government takes seriously the impact of climate change and the

fact it has had such a devastating impact in terms of the flooding

recently. I can reassure here that we participated, this department, in

regular meetings of COBRA on a almost daily basis, to ensure that

electricity source were restored as quickly as possible. The review will

take place and we will keep a careful, watchful eye on making sure

it does meet and make sure it looks carefully at what impact it has had.

Thank you, Mr Speaker. What steps is the Government taking to address the

increasing shortage of skills in the nuclear industry? Well, we have

already taken a lot of action to tackle the skills problem at a all

levels, from programmes to attract more school children to stem

careers, to apprenticeships and training at all levels, as well as

setting in train work for transfer of skills from wider sectors. He's

right to highlight the need for new nuclear skills. Hiply will provide

25,000 jobs and 1,000 apprenticeships. Thank you Mr

Speaker. It suggests 18700 jobs could be lost as a result of the 65%

reduction to the solar feed-in tariff. What loss in income tax will

this mean to Government, in light of the ?16 billion fall short of tax

receipts last year? What is the combined effect if HMC press forward

with the increase of tax to solar installations? I can assure the

honourable gentleman this Government remains committed to the on-going

success of the solar industry. As I explained in an earlier reply. What

we cannot do is simply keep jobs going as a result of subsidy. Our

best guess under our tariff is that will support up to 23,000 jobs in

the solar sector. Of course it is up for the sector to bring down the

costs, as far as possible, to reach a subsidy-free stage by 2020. Of

course we will do everything we can, as I have said, if the VAT rate has

to go up, then we will look at what more we can do within the tariff to

ensure we don't penalise the sector. Thank you. Can I refer the House to

my register, the register of interests as chairman of globe

international, which held a successful summit recently in Paris

as part of a process. Can I ask the Secretary of State, does she agree

with me that the world's leading network of parliamentarians devoted

to leadership, legislative leadership in climate change, has a

key role to play to make sure it is reality. And to meet with me p to

make sure this is achieved? Well, I thank the honourable gentleman for

his question. I am aware that Globe is one of the largest forums on

sustainable development. I acknowledge his important role in

chairing it. I will be delighted to meet him to discuss how we can

promote parliamentarian international development on this

important subject. I was absolutely delighted when the minister said in

June at her renewable summit that we will remove subsidies. When does she

expect the subsidies to disappear completely? Projects just off the

coast of the honourable member's constituency provide enough

electricity for over 100,000 homes, follows hundreds of millions

invested by the developer, much of which was spent locally. I am sure

he'll welcome that. We have to get the balance between supporting newer

technologies and being tough on subsidies to keep bills as low as

possible. We will work towards getting technology subsidy, free.

By far and aware in the EU one third of electricity comes from that

source. China has 50 stations under construction. We need small modular

reactors. Can the minister set up her plans and in this regard?

Nuclear is an important part of our energy future. I am very proud we

have signed the first new nuclear deal in over 20 years. It will have

an important part. We are using part of our substantial innovation

funding to make sure we bring them on as early as possible. It will not

be at the expect of reactors going forward. Smaller nuclear is what we

will aim for. Earlier this week the SNP agreed a support package to

retain staff at DL and Clydebridge steel plans, this will address

costs. Can I ask what consideration the Secretary of State or of Cabinet

colleagues va given to bringing forward a co-her hent strategy to

address the high energy costs facing businesses across the UK? We are

well aware of the importance of keeping energy costs down in order

to support businesses and households. My honourable friend,

the Prime Minister, announced that intensives would be given a specific

package of support and that has got state aid clearance and will be put

in place as soon as possible. The minister will be aware that just

before Christmas, the European Commission announced new tariffs in

Malaysian power and they would back these to May last year. That could

result in many solar companies having an unwant and devastating tax

-- unwanted and devastating tax bill. Will she make sure this does

not happen? I think the honourable gentleman is right to raise this. It

is a real concern that in spite of the fact that the cost of solar

panels have developed dramatically, nevertheless in Europe they remain

higher than elsewhere in the world as a result of the import tariffs.

The commissioner was writ on the explaining how bad this is for the

onof going success of the UK industry. We will do everything we

can to ensure that those get removed as soon as possible.

Mr Speaker, we were disapointed in the Humber last year not to be

granted the national wind college in the locality, especially in light of

the renewables which is important to the future of the Humber area. I

wonder if ministers would meet with me and representatives to discuss

what can be done to promote a national wind college to promote

funding in the area. I would be delighted to meet with her and

colleagues. I had a huge u poer to see the new blade -- I - there have

been new jobs and apprenticeships in her area. I think we should do

everything we can to promote this northern energy powerhouse, which is

taking off and doing so well. THE SPEAKER: There is an arm of

opposition members to catch my eye. I say to the member that I don't

want him to feel excluded. If he wishes to contribute now we will

happily hear him. Not at the moment. As soon as he wants to, he can. Mr

Newlands. These households are more likely to

have prepaid metres. These are ?200 more ex-penive per year. Can the

speck of state tell me what she will do to make sure they have

availability to lower prices, as those on other methods?

In Paisley and Renfrewshire North, there have been eco-measures that

will help your constituents. 119 measures per 100,000 households to

be installed by 2015, compared to the average 77 per thousand in the

rest of the UK. Rest assured we are focused on making sure bills stay

low and making sure fuel poverty is addressed and the ecosystem is one

of the best ways to do that. In Northern Ireland one in five

pensioners are defined as living in income poverty. 65% of those are in

fuel poverty. What about the dealings with colleagues in Northern

Ireland to address these issues? Keeping fuel poverty up they are

making sure we can keep bills down is a absolute priority. Regarding

the statistics, I'd have to write to him. Outside Hinkley Point C, the

proposed new power station the government is considering, this

means yet again the government will be held to hostage. No guaranteed

programme, high profits for the suppliers, extortionate rates

agreed, for the just to users. Should the government not do the

decent thing and rethink this nuclear at all cost policy? The

government thinks nuclear reactors are an important part of delivering

on a low carbon future. There is a great opportunity to make sure we

develop skills. On the particular example he has referred to, I will

ensure my department looks at it carefully and comes back with

answers. In her attempt to explain the hugely unpopular cuts to solar,

the Secretary of State constantly pretends it's about reducing costs

to householders. Given industry analysis shows solar costs around

half the cost of Hinckley over 35 years and save consumers around ?15

billion, how can she keep justifying such blatant double standards when

it comes to nuclear power? The honourable ladies not dealing with

the facts. The facts are that the solar changes will still deliver 5%

yields to people who put them up. The fact is that nuclear provides

important baseload. When the sun isn't shining, or when the wind

isn't blowing. The honourable lady can have her own views but not her

own facts. Last, but never forgotten, Mr Skinner. With the

Chinese economy hitting the buffers, week after week, does it make sense

to continue with this Chinese connection of nuclear power in

Britain? Isn't it time it was abandoned? A shine has been knocked

off it every single day. Change your mind. Can I reassure the honourable

gentleman that we are ambitious for this country, confident in our

regulations, open for business, and if the Chinese want to make a

substantial investment in delivery new nuclear then we will be able to

take it and make a great success of it. Order, business question. Chris

Bryant. We'll be leader give us the business for this week and next week

and all the rest? Probably not all the rest, Mr Speaker, but the

business next week on Monday the 11th, we will debate the remaining

stages of the Armed Forces Bill. After that, a general debate on

local government funding for rural areas nominated by the backbench

business committee. On Tuesday the 12th, the conclusion of the

remaining stages of the Housing and planning Bill. On Wednesday the

13th, an opposition day with a debate on trade exports, innovation

and productivity in the name of the Scottish National party. On Thursday

the 14th, another day of business nominated by the backbench business