Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill

Lord Harper Excerpts

Tuesday 24th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill) (Lab)]

My Lords, I am grateful for the scrutiny, due diligence and expertise of noble Lords during the debates on this legislation. This Bill is a huge step forward. By unlocking the potential of sustainable aviation fuel production in the UK, we can significantly reduce aviation’s greenhouse gas emissions, grow the economy and support green jobs. Your Lordships’ input as this Bill has progressed through this House has meant that it leaves this place in better shape.

I thank the noble Lord, Lord Moylan, whose engagement and scrutiny of this legislation has been welcome, particularly on HEFA. I am sorry about the acronyms—this Bill is particularly full of them. The noble Baroness, Lady Pidgeon, and the noble Earl, Lord Russell, have been exemplary in their engagement on the Bill. I thank them for their continued scrutiny, and in particular for making sure that transparency is at the forefront of the Bill. I also thank the noble Lord, Lord Grayling, whose amendment to the Energy Act paved the way for the first consultation on a revenue certainty mechanism for SAF. His expertise on this subject has been invaluable.

The Bill will now ensure the Secretary of State can enter into revenue certainty contracts only where the supported SAF is produced at a facility in the UK, which was always the Government’s intention. In addition, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Ravensdale, for the expertise and clarity he has brought to our discussions on power to liquid and feedstocks more generally. Finally, I extend my personal thanks to all the officials who have supported me, including the Bill team, legal colleagues, the drafting team in Parliamentary Counsel and others who have been involved in its successful passage.

I look forward to seeing this Bill pass. If we are to create the jobs and attract the business investment Britain needs, we must grow aviation and grow it sustainably. This Bill does just that. I beg to move.

[Lord Harper (Con)]

My Lords, before I say a few words, I would like to declare my interest, as listed in the register, as non-executive chair of RVL Aviation. I thank the Minister and the Government for continuing the sustainable aviation fuel regime that we set out, the revenue certainty mechanism and the investment in UK industrial production of sustainable aviation fuel. I thank him for listening carefully to the points made by colleagues in Committee, and for bringing forward appropriate amendments on Report. Finally, I thank him for responding to a number of points I made by committing to keeping the House informed as government policy develops in this area. I am very pleased to support the Bill as it makes its way on to the statute book.

[Lord Trefgarne (Con)]

I welcome the passage of this Bill. It will result in a slight increase in costs as far as the training sector of aviation is concerned, but that is a small price to pay for the overall benefits.