:00:00. > :00:00.all to do with energy efficiency followed by a question from Chris
:00:00. > :00:24.Harris about wind farm applications. Border. Order. Questions to the
:00:25. > :00:32.Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. Number one, please
:00:33. > :00:36.Mr Speaker. According to my department 's latest bill poverty
:00:37. > :00:41.statistics, less than 5% of fuel households in England have a minimum
:00:42. > :00:45.energy efficiency standard of Banda Sea, leaving 2.2 million households
:00:46. > :00:47.below the standard. Bringing this has felt up-to-the-minute and
:00:48. > :00:51.standard is a challenging ambition but one we are determined to meet.
:00:52. > :00:56.That is why we have been clear available support needs to be
:00:57. > :01:00.focused on those most in need. We will be reforming both the renewable
:01:01. > :01:03.heat incentive and the energy company obligation to make sure that
:01:04. > :01:09.both schemes are sufficiently targeted towards the fuel poor and
:01:10. > :01:12.to tackle the root causes of fuel poverty -- Band C. The Government
:01:13. > :01:18.recently spent ?50 million of taxpayers money assisting a bunch of
:01:19. > :01:24.big businesses like Sainsbury is to change their light bulbs. Meanwhile,
:01:25. > :01:28.they halved home installation funding in this last Parliament. It
:01:29. > :01:32.was meant to help families out of fuel poverty. I don't ask how many
:01:33. > :01:36.Tories it takes to change a light bulb but doesn't this show whose
:01:37. > :01:41.side they are on? I think she's in danger of misunderstanding
:01:42. > :01:45.reduction. Two pilots have been launched, both have been effective
:01:46. > :01:50.in terms of reducing the amount of energy used which is one of our key
:01:51. > :01:54.targets in carbon emissions and in energy security. It is, in no way
:01:55. > :02:03.interferes with our key objective of making sure we reduce fuel poverty
:02:04. > :02:05.at all levels. Would she be good enough to publish the statistics for
:02:06. > :02:09.Northamptonshire for the number of homes which don't meet this
:02:10. > :02:13.standard? In Northamptonshire, one of the big issues we have is a large
:02:14. > :02:18.number of new houses being built. Can she confirm that all these new
:02:19. > :02:24.houses are required to meet this minimum standard? I would be
:02:25. > :02:28.delighted to publish those statistics and I will write to my
:02:29. > :02:33.honourable friend with them. I can say new build houses always build to
:02:34. > :02:38.a far higher standard than existing buildings and the challenge of fuel
:02:39. > :02:42.poverty is almost eradicated for new builds, so I hope his constituents
:02:43. > :02:49.will welcome affordable winters in the future. Has the Secretary of
:02:50. > :02:57.State managed to have any discussions with her Welsh
:02:58. > :03:02.Government counterparts, the savings scheme, which is where the 20th
:03:03. > :03:07.social landlords, in its first phase, over 5000 homes in its second
:03:08. > :03:11.phase on energy efficiency, and is funded partly by European structural
:03:12. > :03:14.funds. A great example of energy efficiency and a great reason for
:03:15. > :03:20.Wales to stay within the EU and the UK, as well. I must say, there's a
:03:21. > :03:24.very interesting proposal from the honourable gentleman. I clearly
:03:25. > :03:26.should spend more time talking to my Welsh counterpart to learn from the
:03:27. > :03:35.good work they are doing to address fuel poverty. The energy savings is
:03:36. > :03:39.a useful website which directly with the boiler grant scheme we have in
:03:40. > :03:44.Northern Ireland. We have a package tailored to each household. Would
:03:45. > :03:48.she consider looking at this example and having something simple on the
:03:49. > :03:52.mainland UK? I'm aware of the interesting boiler scheme being run
:03:53. > :03:56.in Northern Ireland and I welcome initiatives such as that to address
:03:57. > :04:00.the difficulty in fuel poverty and also of heat in terms of reducing
:04:01. > :04:03.carbon emissions. The Mayor of London is also launched a similar
:04:04. > :04:10.scheme and we'll be looking at how that works to say something we can
:04:11. > :04:17.adopt in the UK. Number two. Thank you. My honourable friend has worked
:04:18. > :04:22.incredibly hard to support local communities in having their say on
:04:23. > :04:24.the siting of wind farms. DC LG updated planning guidance alongside
:04:25. > :04:29.their written ministerial statement on the 18th of June 20 15th giving
:04:30. > :04:33.local authorities the final say. So now that the energy Bill committee
:04:34. > :04:37.stage has been completed with his sport, I can tell him we are making
:04:38. > :04:42.excellent progress on delivering the Government's manifesto commitment.
:04:43. > :04:49.I'd like to thank the Minister for that answer and she, like I, will
:04:50. > :04:52.know that the Conservative manifesto contained two pledges on onshore
:04:53. > :04:58.wind, to remove subsidies going forward and the other to change
:04:59. > :05:01.planning guidance. Giving the growing concern that amplitude
:05:02. > :05:06.application, when will there be light and coming forward to local
:05:07. > :05:10.authorities about that? He has personally done some excellent work
:05:11. > :05:13.researching this very serious issue and my department has commissioned
:05:14. > :05:17.an independent review which includes many of the issues he has raised and
:05:18. > :05:21.we expect to receive the final report shortly. The Government will
:05:22. > :05:23.then consider how to take forward its recommendations, including
:05:24. > :05:31.whether a planning condition might be appropriate. The Minister must be
:05:32. > :05:36.aware that these applications for onshore wind power should be based
:05:37. > :05:42.on merit. Isn't the real danger she is in, if you look over the last
:05:43. > :05:45.five years, the barmy Army behind her make sure, working with their
:05:46. > :05:52.local councils, no good proposal goes through. I think the honourable
:05:53. > :05:57.gentleman is referring to my excellent honourable friends who are
:05:58. > :06:01.superb constituency MPs. Nevertheless, we have to agree to
:06:02. > :06:04.disagree. The role of an MP, as I'm sure they would agree, is to
:06:05. > :06:07.represent the interests of his constituency as they would see them
:06:08. > :06:13.and we had struck the right balance between the needs of the country for
:06:14. > :06:16.superb renewables, and this is a very successful sector, but also the
:06:17. > :06:24.needs of local communities to have their wishes and environment taken
:06:25. > :06:27.very much into account. Prior to the 2013 energy act, Scottish ministers
:06:28. > :06:32.had full control over their renewable obligations. This power
:06:33. > :06:36.was removed on the understanding of the promise that there would be no
:06:37. > :06:41.policy on medications. Why was that promise broken and will Minister
:06:42. > :06:50.commits to back SNP calls to see returned? The honourable gentleman
:06:51. > :06:54.is very aware that the reason we are closing the subsidy to onshore wind
:06:55. > :07:01.a year early is in great part to avoid the additional costs to the
:07:02. > :07:05.bill payer of extra deployment beyond our calculations of what
:07:06. > :07:09.could be expected, so this is about trying to keep the costs of bills
:07:10. > :07:13.down to consumers and we have had a number of debates about the issue of
:07:14. > :07:17.fuel poverty. That balance is absolutely vital and it's in the
:07:18. > :07:22.interest of the whole of the UK that we ensure we don't burden bill
:07:23. > :07:28.payers with more costs. What discussions has the Minister had
:07:29. > :07:32.with her colleagues in the devolved administrations to ensure that wind
:07:33. > :07:36.applications made in those jurisdictions are able to be
:07:37. > :07:41.processed effectively? Well, as the honourable lady will know, we have
:07:42. > :07:44.very frequent conversations with ministers in the devolved
:07:45. > :07:49.parliaments. We tried to ensure that they are absolutely included in all
:07:50. > :07:54.of the discussions as they certainly have been with onshore wind, and
:07:55. > :07:57.planning, as she will know, is being devolved at all levels to local
:07:58. > :08:01.authorities, local planning authorities, and it will then be for
:08:02. > :08:04.the Scottish Parliament to decide on exactly what is the appropriate
:08:05. > :08:09.planning process for onshore wind in Scotland. Can we have some
:08:10. > :08:12.consistency from the Minister? Why did she support the imposition of
:08:13. > :08:17.fracking on communities against their will? Why can't she extend the
:08:18. > :08:24.same courtesy to those communities that she has two the communities
:08:25. > :08:30.affected by wind farms? Well, as he will be aware, on wind has deployed
:08:31. > :08:34.to a great extent and in fact, beyond, it certainly at the level of
:08:35. > :08:39.appointment we expect and anticipate to see by 2020 already, so it's
:08:40. > :08:44.right that local communities views are taken into account whereas with
:08:45. > :08:49.hydraulic fracturing, there's no shale gas extraction taken in place
:08:50. > :08:51.at the moment anywhere in the UK. There are no wells, there's not even
:08:52. > :08:59.any exploration and yet Vital energy interests we explore
:09:00. > :09:09.this home-grown energy that could be absolutely vital to the future,
:09:10. > :09:14.jobs, growth and energy security. Security of supply is my number one
:09:15. > :09:18.priority. The capacity market was put in place to ensure sufficient
:09:19. > :09:20.security of electricity supply. It supports technically reliable
:09:21. > :09:28.existing plants to remain in the market and as coal and other things
:09:29. > :09:30.retire, new plants will be financed and built securing energy supplies
:09:31. > :09:34.for the future. Following the auction conducted at the end of last
:09:35. > :09:38.year I have been considering whether any changes are needed and I hope to
:09:39. > :09:41.be able to announce my conclusions shortly and undertake any
:09:42. > :09:48.consultation quickly if we decide any regulatory changes are needed.
:09:49. > :09:52.If the Secretary of State concerned with the latest capacity market
:09:53. > :09:58.option is actually having an unintended consequence of
:09:59. > :10:03.undermining capacity as a favour power stations are mothballed and
:10:04. > :10:07.closed? Can the Government be certain it can maintain security of
:10:08. > :10:13.electricity while reducing investment in solar industry? I
:10:14. > :10:18.don't surely her views. The whole purpose of a capacity market is to
:10:19. > :10:22.guarantee security three years out, and that is exactly what we are
:10:23. > :10:27.delivering however, having had two capacity auctions so far, we are
:10:28. > :10:31.going to review how we can improve on them so we make sure the third
:10:32. > :10:38.one delivers, even more certain security going forward. I'm pleased
:10:39. > :10:41.to hear the secretary of state is willing to look again at the way the
:10:42. > :10:45.capacity market works in order to encourage cleaner forms of energy
:10:46. > :10:51.rather than reliance on feels like diesel which is, sadly, was a large
:10:52. > :10:55.beneficiary of the latest round. Can she give us any more timescale for
:10:56. > :11:01.when those new proposals will come forward?
:11:02. > :11:06.I thank the honourable gentleman for giving me the chance to point out
:11:07. > :11:12.that diesel was 1.5% of the capacity market, a very small amount, but it
:11:13. > :11:16.is essential to make sure we have no risk at all to security, which is
:11:17. > :11:20.why the full was included. I cannot give him an exact timeline but we're
:11:21. > :11:25.working on it intently at the moment and will come forward with the
:11:26. > :11:31.proposal shortly. Will build it can make changes to the capacity market
:11:32. > :11:40.so battery energy storage can be an alternative to thermal generation?
:11:41. > :11:46.Battery storage is indeed just storage, not final consumption. I
:11:47. > :11:50.share his enthusiasm for storage, and we are at a moment working with
:11:51. > :11:55.Ofgem to address how we can best encourage it within a secure
:11:56. > :12:00.regulatory environment. I cannot say whether that will be on the capacity
:12:01. > :12:07.market, but it is a consideration we are looking at. It is with sadness
:12:08. > :12:09.that I stand here without the Member for Sheffield Brightside and
:12:10. > :12:16.Hillsborough in his familiar place. He was my PPS and a much loved
:12:17. > :12:20.member of the Shadow energy team. Because of his background Harry
:12:21. > :12:23.never let us forget that in the end energy is about people. Last month
:12:24. > :12:27.he told the Yorkshire Post that he would be the last deep coal mine of
:12:28. > :12:32.elected to this place. Our promise to Harry is the voice of working
:12:33. > :12:39.people remains at the heart of the energy debate. I will miss him
:12:40. > :12:42.enormously. The capacity market was supposed to bring forward new
:12:43. > :12:47.investment in gas powered stations and ensure we have enough back-up
:12:48. > :12:51.power stations in case of a power crunch. And now it failed on the
:12:52. > :12:56.first count, and now one of the companies contracted to provide
:12:57. > :12:59.back-up capacity, SSE, have pulled a power station out of the scheme,
:13:00. > :13:03.throwing the government's policy into doubt. Can the Secretary of
:13:04. > :13:08.State give the House a guarantee that no other power stations will
:13:09. > :13:12.pull out? Before I answer that, may I join the honourable lady in
:13:13. > :13:23.sharing condolences from the side of the House, for the sad loss of
:13:24. > :13:26.Harry, her friend and able member. We're looking at the capacity market
:13:27. > :13:31.to make sure it delivers the mix of sources we are looking at. As
:13:32. > :13:35.fathers losing old power stations are concerned, she is aware, these
:13:36. > :13:40.are very old power stations and it is not surprising that some of them
:13:41. > :13:44.are closing. And our plans for capacity and in discussions ensuring
:13:45. > :13:49.we have security, we always planned to a certain amount of closures, so
:13:50. > :13:52.we do not feel it is a threat amount of closures, so we do not feel it is
:13:53. > :13:54.our collective security of supply, but we will never be complacent and
:13:55. > :14:01.always make sure we have a secure supply. It is not the answer to the
:14:02. > :14:10.question I asked her. Now new gas stations, onstream since the Prime
:14:11. > :14:14.Minister took office. Hinckly has been delayed yet again, and lists
:14:15. > :14:20.recently said renewable investment is about to fall off a cliff. I ask
:14:21. > :14:28.again, can the Secretary of State confirm that no other power stations
:14:29. > :14:33.will pull of this scheme. I do not recognise the picture she portrays.
:14:34. > :14:36.I would also say that it is a bit rich for Labour to point this out
:14:37. > :14:40.when they have no record of planning for the future. We are the
:14:41. > :14:44.government delivering the first nuclear power station, we are the
:14:45. > :14:51.government taking the difficult choices for the next ten to 15
:14:52. > :14:59.years, and I would remind her that Carrington close cycle is going to
:15:00. > :15:03.start this year. We will also be looking at the capacity market
:15:04. > :15:15.again, to ensure it delivers no gas. -- more gas. Energy storage was
:15:16. > :15:22.identified in 2012 is one of the eight great technologies we're the
:15:23. > :15:29.UK can lead the world. I, very keen supporter. We're looking at what
:15:30. > :15:35.more we can do in addition to the millions spent on the certain
:15:36. > :15:38.development. We will be shortly publishing a call for evidence. I
:15:39. > :15:46.hope the honourable gentleman will put his thoughts the for evidence.
:15:47. > :15:50.Could I be more specific, as a spin off from developing battery driven
:15:51. > :15:54.cars, domestic battery storage is becoming practical and viable, and
:15:55. > :15:59.indeed in America it is taking. What is the government doing specifically
:16:00. > :16:09.to promote the adoption of domestic battery storage in homes? In terms
:16:10. > :16:14.of energy storage at grade level, power generation level, this is
:16:15. > :16:19.something that we're having a for evidence on very shortly to make
:16:20. > :16:25.sure we give as much scope to battery storage. People are starting
:16:26. > :16:28.to look at those systems and as part of the improvement of House building
:16:29. > :16:33.performance, builders are required to look at other opportunities such
:16:34. > :16:37.as battery storage, solar panels and the like, so there will be more work
:16:38. > :16:40.on that, but the honourable gentleman will appreciate it is
:16:41. > :16:49.still at a very early stage as things stand. The energy storage
:16:50. > :16:52.industry sees 2016 as a breakthrough year with many emerging technologies
:16:53. > :16:56.coming into the mainstream. With the Minister concede that current
:16:57. > :17:00.subsidy cuts to renewables are lacking the foresight needed, if we
:17:01. > :17:11.are to promote a genuinely green future? I certainly would not. Since
:17:12. > :17:16.2010 there has been ?52 billion invested in renewables. The pipeline
:17:17. > :17:21.is enormous. There are lots of new projects coming over the next five
:17:22. > :17:27.to ten years, so it is not true to say that support for renewables is
:17:28. > :17:31.in any sense dropping off a cliff. The advantage of energy storage will
:17:32. > :17:43.be to deal with the intermittent nature of renewables, so it should
:17:44. > :17:47.be a win-win for the UK. Our priorities are to decarbonise at the
:17:48. > :17:53.lowest price while always ensuring energy security. That is why we have
:17:54. > :17:56.taken steps to end new subsidies for onshore wind. After my right
:17:57. > :18:00.honourable friend's announcement, it was interesting to hear companies
:18:01. > :18:05.almost immediately seeking a subsidy free CFT, which are now it is that
:18:06. > :18:10.the industry can stand on its own two feet was correct. We're calling
:18:11. > :18:19.it a market stabilising CFT, and we are listening to industry on how
:18:20. > :18:25.this can be delivered. -- CFD. There has been seriously damaged investor
:18:26. > :18:29.confidence with onshore wind, which is vitally important of the fragile
:18:30. > :18:33.economy of my constituency. Government needs to restore that
:18:34. > :18:36.confidence quickly. The Minister could start today by announcing a
:18:37. > :18:45.date for the introduction of subsidy free contract for difference. My
:18:46. > :18:49.will should not do that? As I said to him, we are looking at it. It is
:18:50. > :18:54.not something you would just introduce on the back of a fag
:18:55. > :18:59.packet, it requires careful consultation and consideration. He
:19:00. > :19:06.will appreciate a subsidy free CFD is not cost free or risk free to the
:19:07. > :19:10.bill consumer, and we are determined to ensure that we keep down the
:19:11. > :19:16.costs for consumers in his constituency, as well as across the
:19:17. > :19:21.UK. Will she recognise that when she comes to introduce a subsidy free
:19:22. > :19:26.contract for difference, it will only be subsidy free if the price
:19:27. > :19:29.reflects the value of their electricity. The value of the
:19:30. > :19:36.electricity depends on the time it is produced, where it is produced
:19:37. > :19:38.and how reliably it is produced. So variable renewable electricity is
:19:39. > :19:48.worth much less than regular supplies from ordinary power
:19:49. > :19:53.stations. He points out correctly that there are limitations of
:19:54. > :19:58.intermittent renewable energies, so there are costs associated with
:19:59. > :20:04.energy security when you become overreliant on it. In terms of the
:20:05. > :20:08.subsidy free CFD, he is right that you have to take into account all
:20:09. > :20:13.the various costs. We're looking at it closely. I am not making any
:20:14. > :20:24.promises, but we are looking carefully at this proposition. Can I
:20:25. > :20:36.request that we bring forward subsidy free CFDs as quickly as
:20:37. > :20:41.possible fit -- quickly as possible. What can a minister do to make sure
:20:42. > :20:45.we get as much offshore wind at the lowest possible price? I completely
:20:46. > :20:49.agree. The important thing was to give local communities the final
:20:50. > :20:57.say. I also agree that we're local communities would like to see this,
:20:58. > :21:00.it should be supported. Nevertheless, a market stabilising
:21:01. > :21:03.CFD would not be without risk or cost to the consumer, and our
:21:04. > :21:16.priority is to keep the cost of bills down for all energy consumers.
:21:17. > :21:21.The solar industry is an amazing UK success story, with 99% of also a
:21:22. > :21:26.panel installations taking place since 2010. We're determined to keep
:21:27. > :21:29.supporting this great industry, but we are mindful of the need to keep
:21:30. > :21:35.down costs for consumers. So we have tried to find the right balance of
:21:36. > :21:42.the feed in tariff review with the needs of the bill payer. The revised
:21:43. > :21:48.scheme could support 200,000 brand-new solar installations
:21:49. > :21:54.between now and 2019. A reduction in the solar feed in tariff was
:21:55. > :21:58.probably inevitable but many of us want to see a thriving solar
:21:59. > :22:03.industry in the UK. What assessment has been made on the impact of the
:22:04. > :22:12.63.5% reduction on jobs and prosperity in the UK's solar
:22:13. > :22:14.industry? I know he has big constituency interests in the
:22:15. > :22:19.success of this industry, and I would like to reassure him our
:22:20. > :22:24.tariff reset was built on a huge datasets admitted by industry, and
:22:25. > :22:32.in terms of domestic rates of return, there will be nearly 5%
:22:33. > :22:39.offered for well sited projects. The solar trade association says the new
:22:40. > :22:42.tariffs are challenging, but solar panels still remain a great
:22:43. > :22:48.investment for forward-thinking homeowners. The Scottish Government
:22:49. > :22:52.has led the way, setting ambitious building standards currently
:22:53. > :22:57.new-build home. The Glasgow Commonwealth village being does the
:22:58. > :23:17.Minister agree that the goal going forward should even every -- should
:23:18. > :23:21.be for every home... The problem just now is that people are in
:23:22. > :23:24.desperate need for new homes being built. Since 2014 builders have had
:23:25. > :23:29.to consider the use of renewables in all their designs. During the last
:23:30. > :23:39.Parliament the energy standard for new buildings was improved by 30%.
:23:40. > :23:44.As the Prime Minister made clear yesterday, the UK owes a great debt
:23:45. > :23:49.to the coal industry for all it has done to keep the lights on and the
:23:50. > :23:55.economy moving. Officials and I discuss many climate change issues
:23:56. > :23:58.with our international counterparts, and it is clear that the UK remains
:23:59. > :24:05.respected internationally for the ability to reduce emissions while
:24:06. > :24:10.also growing the economy. She will be aware that the day after the UK
:24:11. > :24:16.announced the closure programme, Germany commissioned a brand-new
:24:17. > :24:27.lignite building and coal power station as another addition to its
:24:28. > :24:34.fleet. Much electricity from Belgium and Spain will be imported, but in
:24:35. > :24:38.my constituency last week, our station was reported to be closing.
:24:39. > :24:46.My workers ask why these factors can be part of a coherent European
:24:47. > :24:49.energy policy. What can I tell them? Can I start by expressing my
:24:50. > :24:57.sympathies for those workers who have been impacted by the recent
:24:58. > :25:01.announcement of the closure. In terms of different countries in the
:25:02. > :25:04.EU making different choices of how to deliver on their targets, I would
:25:05. > :25:08.just point out to my honourable friend that it is up to different
:25:09. > :25:17.countries to address how they want to reduce their emissions. In
:25:18. > :25:30.Germany they are also doing an enormous amount of solar. Too long.
:25:31. > :25:32.The question is how we phase two out of call useful stop will should be
:25:33. > :25:33.taking out new legislative measures to deliver on the government's
:25:34. > :25:42.commitment? On coal, we will be consulting on it
:25:43. > :25:47.and looking at the different methods we might or might not need and it
:25:48. > :25:50.may be regulatory, it may be legislation. We have an open mind
:25:51. > :25:54.how to achieve that and that consultation will be beginning
:25:55. > :25:59.shortly. My right honourable friend will know the recent announcement of
:26:00. > :26:03.the closure of a power station heart in my constituency and half in that
:26:04. > :26:13.of my honourable friend the man but for Cannock. -- member. It is
:26:14. > :26:16.situated that originally, a coal mine, and it is long gone but
:26:17. > :26:23.originally 150 people will be made redundant although they will try and
:26:24. > :26:26.redeployed elsewhere. Will she commit to speak to her right
:26:27. > :26:29.honourable friend, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, to
:26:30. > :26:37.actively play a role in making sure that they can be re-employed
:26:38. > :26:40.somewhere? I thanked him for the question and we have spoken already
:26:41. > :26:46.this week about this matter and I'm also speaking to his neighbour who
:26:47. > :26:48.covers half of the rich elite power plant area and I will actively
:26:49. > :26:55.engage with him and his colleagues to make sure we can do what we can
:26:56. > :27:00.for people who have lost their jobs. Given that the timetable for the
:27:01. > :27:06.closure of coal mines is linked to the construction and bringing online
:27:07. > :27:12.of new nuclear power and, given that the board of EDF this month, cash
:27:13. > :27:17.strapped company, dripping with debt, given that the board of EDF is
:27:18. > :27:23.yet again postponed green lighting the construction, will she meet with
:27:24. > :27:29.the board of EDF and report back urgently to the House as to what the
:27:30. > :27:34.status of the project is? I would dispute with the honourable
:27:35. > :27:39.gentleman the connection that he has made. The closure of coal will be
:27:40. > :27:43.part of a consultation. It influenced by many different things
:27:44. > :27:48.including the age of the fleet, the wholesale price being delivered and
:27:49. > :27:52.other matters. In terms of his question on EDF, I have regular
:27:53. > :27:54.conversations with the board and with the chief executive and I am
:27:55. > :28:03.confident we will have good news soon. The Secretary of State in here
:28:04. > :28:07.speech said that taking coal off the system by 2025 would only proceed if
:28:08. > :28:12.they are confident the shift to new gas can be achieved within these
:28:13. > :28:14.timescales. Bearing in mind that no new large gas-fired power station
:28:15. > :28:20.has commenced building in the past six years, and the last two capacity
:28:21. > :28:23.auctions have underwritten a building of only one power station
:28:24. > :28:27.which will probably not get built, what plans does she had to procure
:28:28. > :28:33.the building of new gas-fired power stations in order to ensure the
:28:34. > :28:38.pledge actually happens? He is absolutely right, the plan is to
:28:39. > :28:41.move from coal to gas so we can reduce our emissions and have secure
:28:42. > :28:45.investment going forward. I'm delighted to say that Carrington
:28:46. > :28:51.close cycle will commission next year and we have 12 additional CC
:28:52. > :28:55.GTs commissioned and I've also stated that what we will do is have
:28:56. > :29:01.the capacity market adapted to make sure we can deliver gas going
:29:02. > :29:05.forward. It'll be an essential part of a low carbon mix and this
:29:06. > :29:16.Government is making the plans and securing future energy sources for
:29:17. > :29:19.the future. Question number eight. The Government does not intend to
:29:20. > :29:24.introduce national electricity distribution rising as this would
:29:25. > :29:27.weaken each network companies local accountability to its customers and
:29:28. > :29:31.risk an overall increase in network costs across the UK. We are
:29:32. > :29:34.currently consulting however on the level of protection provided to
:29:35. > :29:43.consumers in the North of Scotland which amounts to an average of ?41
:29:44. > :29:46.per household this year. I thank the Minister for that answer but can I
:29:47. > :29:52.point out what she said just before Christmas? It's not right that
:29:53. > :29:56.people face higher electricity costs just because of where they live. I
:29:57. > :30:01.agree with the Minister that that should be the case. Why doesn't she
:30:02. > :30:06.take action to introduce fairness into the outer city markets? Why are
:30:07. > :30:11.people in the Highlands paying 2p per kilowatt more than people
:30:12. > :30:14.elsewhere? Why are people in my constituency being discriminated
:30:15. > :30:20.against? Do the right thing and create a national market. As I've
:30:21. > :30:25.said to him, we've had this discussion a number of times and I
:30:26. > :30:28.do sympathise with his point but what he absolutely needs to
:30:29. > :30:32.appreciate is that if they wear a national charge it would mean lower
:30:33. > :30:38.charges in some areas and increases another specifically in Scotland,
:30:39. > :30:43.1.8 million households would face higher bills while 700,000 would see
:30:44. > :30:46.reductions. This is a very serious problem, not something you can
:30:47. > :30:55.easily wave a magic wand and have this change. Our new domestic supply
:30:56. > :31:02.obligation will provide support to over 200,000 homes per year from
:31:03. > :31:06.2017 for five years by improving energy efficiency, tackling fuel
:31:07. > :31:12.poverty and continuing to deliver on our commitment to intimate 1 million
:31:13. > :31:16.more homes in this Parliament. I thank the Secretary of State for
:31:17. > :31:21.that answer. Will she work with industry bodies like the sustainable
:31:22. > :31:24.energy Association to bring forward ideas for a comprehensive strategy
:31:25. > :31:30.to increase uptake of energy efficiency measures? I thank him for
:31:31. > :31:37.that question and he's right that, in to form these grants, the
:31:38. > :31:39.renewable heat incentive, we will be in gauging with industry and the
:31:40. > :31:44.sustainable energy Association is one of those stakeholders we will
:31:45. > :31:47.work with to make sure our reformed system delivers even better value
:31:48. > :31:53.for the people who are really in need. We know there's a link between
:31:54. > :31:57.colder homes and excess winter deaths and last winter 42,000 people
:31:58. > :32:02.died completely unnecessarily as result of the cold. What work is she
:32:03. > :32:08.doing with colleagues in the Department of Health to reduce
:32:09. > :32:14.excess winter deaths specifically by ensuring households meet minimum
:32:15. > :32:18.energy efficiency standards? He's absolutely right to point this out.
:32:19. > :32:22.Any excess winter deaths is too many. We work very hard across
:32:23. > :32:26.departments to make sure that we do what we can to help people in the
:32:27. > :32:30.poorest homes. Health is one of the areas we work with and also
:32:31. > :32:34.Communities and Local Government. I believe there's more we can do in
:32:35. > :32:38.terms of potential regulation to address the cold homes and some of
:32:39. > :32:45.the energy efficiency measures at C put in place in existing homes.
:32:46. > :32:48.Yesterday, the park homes Justice campaign were here launching their
:32:49. > :32:52.new Park line helpline but they were also here with age concern talking
:32:53. > :32:56.about their warm homes campaign. They delivered a petition yesterday
:32:57. > :33:03.to the Secretary of State. Will she get that active and proper
:33:04. > :33:08.consideration? I did receive the petition yesterday. We have already
:33:09. > :33:13.taken steps to help people in Park homes by ensuring that eligible for
:33:14. > :33:16.the discount of ?140 and they can apply for eco-where appropriate but
:33:17. > :33:20.I'm also looking for opportunities to be more helpful, to give more
:33:21. > :33:25.support for people in need so I look carefully at the petition we have
:33:26. > :33:29.been sent. The data communications company is an integral part of the
:33:30. > :33:32.roll-out of the Government's smart meter programme, but it's now nine
:33:33. > :33:36.months behind schedule and the delay is narrowing the window for the
:33:37. > :33:42.installation of meters with a risk any additional costs could be born
:33:43. > :33:45.by consumers. Can we please carbon impact assessment to reflect those
:33:46. > :33:51.delays and assure the getting value for money for customers? We are
:33:52. > :33:55.making good progress on smart meters. We have regular meetings
:33:56. > :34:00.with the energy companies about progress and some of them are even
:34:01. > :34:04.ahead of schedule. We will continue to monitor it, ensure that customers
:34:05. > :34:07.get the best value from smart meters because this is an incredibly
:34:08. > :34:14.important infrastructure project which will help reduce bills.
:34:15. > :34:18.Question number ten, Mr Speaker. Shale gas could become a very
:34:19. > :34:22.valuable new industry and in the strong interests of the UK to
:34:23. > :34:27.explore with potential. However, we are determined to protect our most
:34:28. > :34:31.valuable spaces. We have consulted on banning service level drilling in
:34:32. > :34:34.the most precious areas. We've also regulated to set the minimum depth
:34:35. > :34:43.of hydraulic fracturing under sensitive areas. Last month I held a
:34:44. > :34:58.second successful fact-finding fracking meeting at a high school.
:34:59. > :35:05.Easy for you to say. Over 400 constituents left a better informed.
:35:06. > :35:07.What steps is she taking to encourage regulatory bodies to
:35:08. > :35:16.furthering gauge at public meetings such as this? I'm impressed at him
:35:17. > :35:22.managing three words beginning with the F in one question, so it's vital
:35:23. > :35:27.for local committees to access to facts about fracking and the
:35:28. > :35:31.stringent regulations and I thank him for organising these events. It
:35:32. > :35:33.is very important. We are working to make sure they do it at every
:35:34. > :35:38.opportunity and encouragement from the Department to engage with the
:35:39. > :35:42.public so the Environment Agency, health and safety are decadent, oil
:35:43. > :35:46.and gas authority and Public Health England already attend regularly
:35:47. > :35:53.public meetings like the one he has mentioned and will continue to do
:35:54. > :36:02.so. An application was made to start drilling at a little place in the
:36:03. > :36:06.Bolsover area. The most of the villagers were against it and it was
:36:07. > :36:14.turned down by the local tanning committee. It then went to the
:36:15. > :36:17.inspector, the inspector local Government, because Cuadrilla wanted
:36:18. > :36:23.to appeal. The inspector, the Government Inspector, turned it
:36:24. > :36:28.down. Now I am told that it is possible that this Government are
:36:29. > :36:38.quite capable of overruling the decision of its own inspector and
:36:39. > :36:42.allow fracking. Is that correct? Can I first of all wish am happy
:36:43. > :36:50.birthday. I'm sure all members would want to do that. I spend it on the
:36:51. > :36:51.picket line yesterday with the doctors.
:36:52. > :36:56.LAUGHTER CHEERING
:36:57. > :36:59.. He is a real challenge but also a
:37:00. > :37:04.role model for the South in the work that he does and I do genuinely
:37:05. > :37:10.congratulate him and wish very happy birthday in terms of the appeal, he
:37:11. > :37:14.sets out exactly what is supposed to happen. Local communities have their
:37:15. > :37:16.say, they feed into the process, developers can then appeal, of
:37:17. > :37:21.course they can, it's right that they should be able to, and in the
:37:22. > :37:25.inspector turns it down. There was an appeal process. I'm not sure
:37:26. > :37:28.about the specifics of the Casey mentions, but democracy is done and
:37:29. > :37:37.are seen to be done and that's very important. But as localism in
:37:38. > :37:40.action. I am clear that the only way to effectively address climate
:37:41. > :37:45.change is through global action. Building on a global agreement the
:37:46. > :37:48.UK was instrumental in achieving in Paris in December, all countries
:37:49. > :37:53.need to act to bring down emissions and minimise adaptation costs in the
:37:54. > :37:57.future. I want the future of the UK to set an example by addressing 1.2%
:37:58. > :38:00.of the global emissions we are responsible for while, at the same
:38:01. > :38:07.time, continuing to grow our economy. The government's own
:38:08. > :38:11.advisers have wondered if global temperature rise is not limited,
:38:12. > :38:14.there will be a big increase in flooding in the UK, something felt
:38:15. > :38:19.very acutely in the Lancaster district during storm Desmond, when
:38:20. > :38:23.a substation was flooded, we lost and a trustee for three days and
:38:24. > :38:27.tens of thousands of homes and businesses were affected. Will she
:38:28. > :38:31.commit to upgrading our adaptation plans including our flood defence
:38:32. > :38:39.budgets especially those where they are defending electricity supplies?
:38:40. > :38:43.I thank her for her question and I am of course aware of the impact of
:38:44. > :38:50.the flooding in her constituents. I member she spoke well during the
:38:51. > :38:55.debate with DEFRA. The best way to address climate change and the
:38:56. > :39:00.impact, is to get a global deal and that's why we have been focused on
:39:01. > :39:03.doing that. I will also work closely with my colleagues in DEFRA to make
:39:04. > :39:08.sure we have a national adaptation programme in place. One thing we
:39:09. > :39:11.have to do to meet our obligations under that international dealers
:39:12. > :39:14.further reduce our emissions from buildings. When people buy a more
:39:15. > :39:18.efficient car they will pay less taxation than if they bought a less
:39:19. > :39:22.efficient model. Shouldn't the same thing applied to the taxation of
:39:23. > :39:26.buildings? I agree with him addressing buildings is an important
:39:27. > :39:31.part of meeting our renewable energy targets were to have set for 2020
:39:32. > :39:33.through the EU and I'm working closely with the Department of
:39:34. > :39:36.committees and local Government to see what action we can take to
:39:37. > :39:52.address that the buildings is an important mart part of the mix. Mr
:39:53. > :39:54.Barry Gardner. Surely one of the most important thing is the
:39:55. > :39:59.Secretary of State can do to limit climate change is to publicly state
:40:00. > :40:04.House is going to meet the shortfall in our legally binding renewable
:40:05. > :40:08.targets for 2020. She knows beyond 2017, her own department is
:40:09. > :40:12.projecting a 25% shortfall across heating, and it is a deep and
:40:13. > :40:17.transport sectors. And the data released yesterday now shows the UK
:40:18. > :40:20.to be missing its target by the widest margin of any European
:40:21. > :40:28.country. What assessment and she made the potential finds the UK may
:40:29. > :40:32.face as a result this failure? I can say to him I don't share his
:40:33. > :40:38.catastrophic view of the progress that we have made. We already have
:40:39. > :40:43.nearly 25% of our electricity coming from renewables and we believe we
:40:44. > :40:47.may well exceed our target of 30% by 2020. In terms of the overall
:40:48. > :40:53.renewable target, I hope he will welcome, as I do, the fact we've
:40:54. > :40:58.already exceeded our interim target, 5.4%, and are now at 6.3%, but we
:40:59. > :41:01.are aware we need to make more progress and we have set out clearly
:41:02. > :41:02.that's what were going to do during this parliament in order to address
:41:03. > :41:19.the shortfall. He will be aware that in addition to
:41:20. > :41:26.the ten gigawatts I announced in November, there will be more,
:41:27. > :41:29.subject to costs coming down. I will set out further information in due
:41:30. > :41:38.course so potential bidders can start planning their beds. Although
:41:39. > :41:42.offshore wind is an important part of the UK energy policy, so as
:41:43. > :41:47.marine energy. Can I ask her what progress the government has made on
:41:48. > :41:52.the Marine energy Park which was said to be situated in the
:41:53. > :42:02.south-west? I am aware of the good work he has done this year. Plymouth
:42:03. > :42:13.has world leading expertise at the heart of the park. I hosted with him
:42:14. > :42:16.the confidence to take forward marine planning, and I assure him
:42:17. > :42:28.that this will be at the forefront of energy planning. How will the
:42:29. > :42:33.government use its new procurement guidelines to ensure that UK
:42:34. > :42:40.contents such as UK steel is used in the development? He is absolutely
:42:41. > :42:49.right to raise this, can I reassure him that we are having regular
:42:50. > :43:00.meetings with DONG, to make sure it is as high as possible within their
:43:01. > :43:06.procurement rules. I will answer this question and 16 together.
:43:07. > :43:12.Average domestic gas prices fell by ?37 during 2015. Four major
:43:13. > :43:17.suppliers, I need to correct myself, six major suppliers have announced a
:43:18. > :43:23.cut in suppliers as announced this morning. The government expects all
:43:24. > :43:29.suppliers to pass on the cuts to consumers. I have contacted all
:43:30. > :43:34.suppliers to make this crystal clear. Will she joined me in
:43:35. > :43:39.celebrating the work of our local councils in assisting people to save
:43:40. > :43:44.on energy, including Oldham Council for its scheme which attracted 8700
:43:45. > :43:49.households to sign up, each saving around ?170. In Nottingham, the
:43:50. > :43:53.first local authority energy company, employing energy staff
:43:54. > :43:59.hoping to get 10,000 households signed up. I will join him in
:44:00. > :44:03.congratulation his counsel. Some individual councils are doing
:44:04. > :44:07.exceptionally good work in groups switching and trying to help their
:44:08. > :44:10.members and constituents. I did visit Nottingham last year to see
:44:11. > :44:18.the good work they have in doing and I hope that more councils will
:44:19. > :44:20.follow that lead. Does the Secretary of State think that the Competition
:44:21. > :44:23.and Markets Authority as part of its investigation into the energy market
:44:24. > :44:28.should introduce measures to make switching suppliers easier, as
:44:29. > :44:41.called for by the consumer group "Which?" . It is predominantly to
:44:42. > :44:44.address difficulties with switching and difficulty some consumers find
:44:45. > :44:52.in engaging with the energy market that the Prime Minister reported
:44:53. > :44:56.them to the authority. I hope they will come forward with those
:44:57. > :45:01.suggestions. Every year the government launches an investigation
:45:02. > :45:05.on whether family should pay more for their energy. The Chancellor
:45:06. > :45:16.told the Telegraph that the cheaper prices should bring lower household
:45:17. > :45:20.bills. A study was done, backed by the Prime Minister, it was reported
:45:21. > :45:23.that energy will companies would be watched like a hawk. What happened
:45:24. > :45:30.to that study and what action was taken? I can reassure the honourable
:45:31. > :45:37.lady that we continue to do this, and I am pleased to see we are
:45:38. > :45:43.continuing to see the reductions this morning. The great news for
:45:44. > :45:53.consumers is that they were not faced with Labour's price freeze.
:45:54. > :45:59.Promised a price freeze, in which case the reductions would not have
:46:00. > :46:03.been given at all. Not much progress is being making because of slow
:46:04. > :46:15.answers, and I do not like backbenchers waiting to lose out.
:46:16. > :46:19.Number 17. A recent European Court ruling found that the reduced rate
:46:20. > :46:24.of VAT on certain energy-saving materials was in breach of EU law.
:46:25. > :46:29.As a result HMRC consulted on changes to the rate of VAT, and are
:46:30. > :46:33.considering responses to the consultation. If it changes we will
:46:34. > :46:42.consider options on how to maintain a suitable rate of return and didn't
:46:43. > :46:47.-- for investments. Can I also member my honourable friend
:46:48. > :46:53.birthday, and I am so pleased, he's fantastic. Can I ask the proposed
:46:54. > :47:13.hike in VAT would... The government is keeping
:47:14. > :47:18.the lower rate for heat pumps, boilers and power units, and the
:47:19. > :47:26.same should surely apply to solar panels are we we have -- or we will
:47:27. > :47:37.have situation we're fossil fuels will be charged 5% whereas
:47:38. > :47:41.homeowners will have to pay 20%. I just want to be clear with the
:47:42. > :47:48.honourable lady. This is not the choice of the Chancellor. This is an
:47:49. > :47:54.EU court ruling. In the event we have two impose an increase in VAT,
:47:55. > :48:05.we will look at investors under the tariff. Since I last spoke there has
:48:06. > :48:13.been a dramatic fall in the oil-price. The hard-working people
:48:14. > :48:27.the industry employs and families it supports have the back-up... We have
:48:28. > :48:35.set out an action plan today to diversify. Could she outlined what
:48:36. > :48:39.progress is being made to secure vital infrastructure investment in
:48:40. > :48:45.the energy sector? Is it not the case that thinking for the long-term
:48:46. > :48:48.and investing is the best way to get secure low-cost electricity for my
:48:49. > :48:57.constituents. I would also like to wish happy birthday to the
:48:58. > :49:00.honourable member. We are tackling a legacy of underinvestment. The
:49:01. > :49:05.failure to deliver the next generation of energy projects and
:49:06. > :49:11.the energy like all that has been left by the last government. We're
:49:12. > :49:13.building energy and infrastructure fit for the 21st century. We have
:49:14. > :49:21.made progress securing infrastructure investment. The UK
:49:22. > :49:34.has enjoyed record levels and maintains an energy investment
:49:35. > :49:36.pipeline. I understood I would comment and topical questions. I am
:49:37. > :49:47.very sorry, thank you for calling me. Last week a report showed the UK
:49:48. > :49:55.is the biggest investment company for funding projects, on energy,
:49:56. > :49:58.with 70,000 jobs expected to be created as a result. Does she agree
:49:59. > :50:07.that this is further evidence that written should stay in the European
:50:08. > :50:11.Union? There are tremendous benefits to a united energy market, and I am
:50:12. > :50:20.interested and excited to work on the progress with the energy union
:50:21. > :50:22.going forward. Would she ensure that energy companies automatically
:50:23. > :50:28.switch their customers to the cheapest tariff possible? Many
:50:29. > :50:33.constituents at the moment find the present system confusing and
:50:34. > :50:37.somewhat disappointing. He puts his finger on a very sensitive issue
:50:38. > :50:40.about delivering the best for consumers, which is what the
:50:41. > :50:44.government wants to achieve while also encouraging competition. I
:50:45. > :50:49.would ask them to wait for the report, which I hope will address
:50:50. > :50:55.this, and then we will make some progress. Prime ministers questions
:50:56. > :51:00.on the 27th of January, he said I am determined we build a bridge to
:51:01. > :51:04.future for all those in oil and gas. Yet following his visit to Aberdeen
:51:05. > :51:09.it was clear that that bridge will be built on the cheap. Industry
:51:10. > :51:11.needs meaningful support in the forthcoming budget so can we have
:51:12. > :51:17.less talk about the broad shoulders of the UK and can we have the
:51:18. > :51:25.Secretary of State boot her back into delivering the changes we need?
:51:26. > :51:29.-- put her back. He's being a little churlish, the broad shoulders of the
:51:30. > :51:32.United Kingdom are putting into the north-east to ensure their jobs and
:51:33. > :51:39.skills are secured, and I am working across departments to ensure that
:51:40. > :51:45.the skills are preserved and we will ensure we have a work force task
:51:46. > :51:51.force to take it forward. I hope he would welcome the ?250 million put
:51:52. > :52:00.into Aberdeen for the deal. Would she look at how the current system
:52:01. > :52:03.model including the national infrastructure commission, National
:52:04. > :52:12.Grid and Ofgem could be reformed to make it more flexible and
:52:13. > :52:16.independent, part of an intra- chuck -- infrastructure fit for the 21st
:52:17. > :52:21.century. He will be aware that the National Grid has played a pivotal
:52:22. > :52:26.role in keeping the energy market coming, but as the system changes we
:52:27. > :52:29.need to make sure it is as productive, secure and cost
:52:30. > :52:33.effective as possible. There is a strong case for greater independence
:52:34. > :52:37.for a system operator to allow it to make necessary changes and we will
:52:38. > :52:39.work alongside national infrastructure commission to
:52:40. > :52:45.consider how best to reform the current model. As Valentine's Day is
:52:46. > :52:49.approaching, will the Secretary of State support they show the love
:52:50. > :52:59.campaign and encourage all members to wear a green hearts, which
:53:00. > :53:09.symbolise how much of what we love is affected by climate change. It is
:53:10. > :53:17.always good to welcome Valentine's Day. Perhaps he could give one to
:53:18. > :53:21.the birthday boy. I have dozens of constituents who are employed in the
:53:22. > :53:24.solar power industry. Can I add my voice to my honourable friend for
:53:25. > :53:30.Cheltenham in asking the ministerial team to continue to assess and
:53:31. > :53:40.analyse what effect the changes to solar subsidies is having on small
:53:41. > :53:43.businesses and SMEs in the solar industry? This solar industry is a
:53:44. > :53:49.great UK success story, we are set great UK success story, we are set
:53:50. > :53:57.to massively succeed our targets for solar, and with a revised tariff, we
:53:58. > :54:00.expect to see up to 220,000 brand-new solar installations
:54:01. > :54:08.between now and 2019, which will give a rate of return of nearly 5%
:54:09. > :54:13.to well sited installations. Report was recently published on the
:54:14. > :54:23.prospects of the oil and gas sector in 2016, which highlighted 67% of
:54:24. > :54:26.oil and gas representatives... Can the Secretary of State tell me what
:54:27. > :54:32.fiscal support is being considered for the oil and gas industry ahead
:54:33. > :54:37.of the budget? He will be aware that fiscal changes are the
:54:38. > :54:40.responsibility of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, but I can reassure
:54:41. > :54:44.him that we take very seriously the support we want to give to the UK
:54:45. > :54:49.continental shelf and to all the jobs around it. Chairing the cross
:54:50. > :54:54.ministerial group, we also have a member from the Treasury in that
:54:55. > :54:59.group. The new Anglia local enterprise partnership's oil and gas
:55:00. > :55:04.task force has developed measures to support businesses and workers at
:55:05. > :55:09.this difficult time. Will the Secretary of State consider a
:55:10. > :55:15.proposal for the government to match the local funding they are
:55:16. > :55:18.providing? I hesitate to agree to any financial commitments in this
:55:19. > :55:22.chamber but I am always interested in looking at proposals -- in
:55:23. > :55:28.looking at the portals for my honourable friend. Can she tell me
:55:29. > :55:33.what progress she is making with regard to getting state aid consent
:55:34. > :55:43.for the strike price for island communities and offshore wind
:55:44. > :55:48.projects. We absolutely appreciate that industry across technologies
:55:49. > :55:51.need clarity on government policies and future allocation rains so they
:55:52. > :55:57.can manage the decisions. We are currently working with HMT to
:55:58. > :56:06.finalise the budget for future auctions and we will set out more
:56:07. > :56:10.information as soon as we can. Can I thank her for her response about the
:56:11. > :56:14.Humber Estuary on Tuesday evening. It was robust and informative. Can I
:56:15. > :56:21.draw her attention to a statement issued to the local media by DONG
:56:22. > :56:25.energy, which is noncommittal. Can she reaffirm her determination to be
:56:26. > :56:29.involved in the future developments in northern Lincolnshire?
:56:30. > :56:36.I would like to pay tribute to my rate on boyfriend for his support to
:56:37. > :56:45.that area. I can assure him there will be no wriggle room. -- my right
:56:46. > :56:49.honourable friend. We will support offshore wind and we will absolutely
:56:50. > :56:53.required UK content and for the UK supply chain to be a beneficiary of
:56:54. > :56:57.it. What plans the Sea sector of state
:56:58. > :57:05.have to allow large-scale solar generators to apply for a contract
:57:06. > :57:09.under the difference mechanism? They do not have time to the moment
:57:10. > :57:13.for a large scale solar contract, what we have found is that
:57:14. > :57:17.large-scale ground mounted solar have confirmed to us that they do
:57:18. > :57:20.not need any subsidy and they can continue subject to planning
:57:21. > :57:25.permission because the cost has for them to such a great degree that
:57:26. > :57:29.they can continue to develop and supply electricity without a formal
:57:30. > :57:34.contract, surely any better interests of the taxpayer and the
:57:35. > :57:37.bill payer if it can be achieved. Given Cheshire has a centre of
:57:38. > :57:43.excellence in relation to nuclear industry, what steps have the
:57:44. > :57:46.government taken to ensure funding for new nuclear centres and to
:57:47. > :57:52.ensure universities in the North of England continue to be prosperous?
:57:53. > :57:56.You may be aware that in the recent Spending Review one area in which he
:57:57. > :57:59.got an increase was in innovation and specifically we have allocated
:58:00. > :58:04.half of the new increased a small modular reactors, that is an area we
:58:05. > :58:11.are working on a terms of universities and with In the UK and
:58:12. > :58:13.we will continue to work on that. Scrapping the government's support
:58:14. > :58:19.for carbon tax -- carbon capture and storage technology makes it more
:58:20. > :58:22.expensive to do so and we have fostered on around ?250 million
:58:23. > :58:29.worth of EU investment, canny minister just explain how this makes
:58:30. > :58:33.sense? I can tell the honourable lady that
:58:34. > :58:37.our view is that TCS has a potentially important role in
:58:38. > :58:43.long-term decarbonisation. We continue to invest in the
:58:44. > :58:46.development of PCS, investing over ?130 million to develop that
:58:47. > :58:49.technology through innovation support and my department is
:58:50. > :58:51.currently looking at what our new policy is to develop this very
:58:52. > :58:58.important technology. Mr Speaker, political network losses
:58:59. > :59:04.from theft and so-called Copper bosses are estimated at the
:59:05. > :59:08.Department in excess of ?3 billion at the cost to consumers. What
:59:09. > :59:11.recent analysis as the department undertaken into the potential
:59:12. > :59:17.contribution of technology to address this issue?
:59:18. > :59:21.I can tell the honourable gentleman that this is an area that personal
:59:22. > :59:25.interest me a great deal. It is a complete disaster if we find that
:59:26. > :59:29.pipeline tapping, effectively stealing product away from consumers
:59:30. > :59:33.that then has to be paid for, it is absolutely vital and we are looking
:59:34. > :59:37.at it. I am not familiar with that proposal he has mentioned but if he
:59:38. > :59:44.writes to me I will be happy to take a look at it.
:59:45. > :59:46.Historically, all mining has been prohibited under the City of York
:59:47. > :59:50.Council the City of York Council passed a motion to say that no like
:59:51. > :59:55.this is should be given for fracking and yet a licence has been given.
:59:56. > :59:59.What guarantee will the Minister give that the local voice now will
:00:00. > :00:03.determine what happens? I am grateful to the honourable lady
:00:04. > :00:09.to give me a chance to explain that the license is not a licence to
:00:10. > :00:16.frack, a Becky James bond like! It is simply a licence to be able to
:00:17. > :00:20.consider the seismic opportunity of the shale gas that is underneath
:00:21. > :00:24.potentially. It is absolutely not a guarantee that anything will happen
:00:25. > :00:29.at all. There is then a whole planning process to go through,
:00:30. > :00:34.including environmental assessments, health and safety assessment and so
:00:35. > :00:36.on, and there is a clear planning process that is very well
:00:37. > :00:43.communicated that she will be very familiar with.
:00:44. > :00:48.Mr Speaker, this morning energy experts are suggesting and reporting
:00:49. > :00:56.that the target emission levels set at the recent summit are way behind,
:00:57. > :01:02.this is only because of an agreement, an important agreement in
:01:03. > :01:06.Paris. How can this be the case? The honourable gentleman may be
:01:07. > :01:10.aware that the agreement in Paris called for a reduction, a limit to
:01:11. > :01:14.the amount of increase in climate by a maximum of 2 degrees but the
:01:15. > :01:19.voluntary contributions from each country only reached 2.7. It comes
:01:20. > :01:22.as no surprise. Everyone who signed up to that agreement is aware of it
:01:23. > :01:27.and let us celebrate the fact that 200 countries did sign up to it, but
:01:28. > :01:31.there is more work to be done. It is not the end of the journey, or the
:01:32. > :01:33.start. Sorry to disappoint remaining
:01:34. > :01:38.colleagues, we must now move on to urgent questions. Chris Bryant.
:01:39. > :01:51.Mr Speaker, or the reader of the House met a statement on short money
:01:52. > :01:56.and the policy development grant? Constitutional Reform Minister. Mr
:01:57. > :01:59.Speaker, as the Shadow Leader of the House of Lords, the electoral
:02:00. > :02:05.commission has been undertaking changes to the policy development
:02:06. > :02:09.grant and they have been in discussions about parallel changes
:02:10. > :02:13.to short money, which includes the parties as well. I can confirm that
:02:14. > :02:18.we plan to initiate further conversations on short money
:02:19. > :02:21.shortly. There will be time and opportunity for Jews to be expressed
:02:22. > :02:24.on all sides of the House and I am sure if the Shadow Leader runs true
:02:25. > :02:27.to form he will use these opportunities well. I am acquired
:02:28. > :02:29.under the