Oral Answers to Questions

Afzal Khan Excerpts

Thursday 8th December 2022 Commons Chamber

The Minister for the Cabinet Office was asked—

[Afzal Khan (Manchester, Gorton) (Lab)]

1. What cross- departmental steps he is taking to help ensure preparedness for winter.

[Peter Aldous (Waveney) (Con)]

9. What steps his Department is taking to support the operation of public services during the winter months.

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Oliver Dowden)]

The Cabinet Office has well-established processes to support Departments and their sectors to ensure the effective delivery of key services over the winter. They are underpinned by comprehensive risk assessments and contingency plans for a wide range of risks, including industrial action and severe weather. The national resilience framework will be the first iteration of our new strategic approach. It will strengthen the systems, structures and capabilities that underpin the UK’s resilience to all risks.

[Afzal Khan]

The UK’s power supply is already stretched to breaking point, with the National Grid telling us that blackouts are now a very real possibility. Over the next few days, temperatures are expected to drop to well below freezing. A blackout in those circumstances could be catastrophic for the most vulnerable in our society. Will the Minister urgently explain to my vulnerable constituents what they should do to remain safe and warm in the event of a power blackout during freezing cold temperatures?

[Oliver Dowden]

The hon. Gentleman raises two important points. First, in respect of the winter weather, the Cabinet Office is keeping a close eye on it. Indeed, I have been briefed on the situation. On the wider situation in relation to energy supply, I am working closely with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, my right hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps). He and I have strong confidence about the resilience of the UK power networks and, excepting a very exceptional circumstance, we are confident that we will continue to supply throughout the winter.