Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when he plans to make a decision on the potential extension of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation to cover hydrogen produced from nuclear energy.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
Further to a public consultation earlier this year, we have introduced legislation which would expand support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) to renewable hydrogen used in fuel cell rail and non-road transports, and in maritime vessels. To further stimulate investment in renewable hydrogen production, we also proposed in the consultation to reward renewable hydrogen more flexibly under the RTFO. A Government Response on proposals to improve flexibility will be published very soon.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he plans to take steps to reform the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation to stimulate investment in hydrogen production.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
Further to a public consultation earlier this year, we have introduced legislation which would expand support under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) to renewable hydrogen used in fuel cell rail and non-road transports, and in maritime vessels. To further stimulate investment in renewable hydrogen production, we also proposed in the consultation to reward renewable hydrogen more flexibly under the RTFO. A Government Response on proposals to improve flexibility will be published very soon.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether he has plans to offer incentives to support (a) people and (b) organisations to purchase hydrogen vehicles.
Answered by Trudy Harrison
The Government offers grants to offset the higher upfront cost of zero emission cars, vans, trucks, motorbikes and taxis and is also supporting the development of hydrogen vehicles, particularly larger vehicles like HGVs and buses.
We will be expanding our Zero Emission Road Freight Trials programme to trial three zero emission HGV technologies at scale on UK roads, including hydrogen fuel cells. Furthermore, local areas will be able to apply for funding for both battery electric buses and hydrogen fuel cell buses depending on which technology is best suited to their local areas. Funding schemes include the £120m Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas Scheme – open to bids from local authorities – while at SR21 £355m of new funding was made available for zero emission buses.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of using Sheffield and Rotherham steel in the construction of HS2.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
HS2 Ltd has engaged extensively with the British steel industry over the last five years, including organisations with facilities in Sheffield and Rotherham. HS2 Ltd hold 'Meet the Contractor' events for potential suppliers regularly and I would encourage businesses across Sheffield and Rotherham to sign-up to one of these events.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, for what reason steel sourced from outside the UK is being used in the construction of HS2.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
Across the HS2 project, all procurement is conducted fairly, equally and transparently and does not discriminate on the basis of location, in line with UK public procurement law.
Procurement of steel is generally undertaken by Tier 3 or 4 suppliers to HS2, rather than by HS2 Ltd directly. On occasion, it may be necessary to procure non-UK steel either to ensure value for money for UK taxpayers or to maintain the agreed HS2 programme.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will publish the national provenance of the steel used in the construction of HS2.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
HS2 Ltd’s steel procurement data are published yearly by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
HS2 Ltd. works extensively with the British steel industry to ensure it is in the best position to compete for contracts to build Britain’s new high speed rail network. For example, 28 of the 29 reinforcement fabrication contracts have been awarded to UK-based companies.
Asked by: Alexander Stafford (Conservative - Rother Valley)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what comparative assessment he has made of the (a) cost and (b) disruption of (i) phase 2b of HS2, (ii) the revival of the Great Central Main Line and (iii) other alternatives to phase 2b of HS2 in the north of England.
Answered by Andrew Stephenson
The most recent cost estimate for HS2 Phase 2b, which includes the cost of disruption, is set out in the HS2 6-monthly report to Parliament: March 2021. The Government expects to set out more fully the costs of Phase 2b in the IRP and when it brings forward a hybrid Bill for the Western Leg of Phase 2b. Whist recent work has not considered the revival of the Great Central Main Line as an alternative to HS2 Phase 2b, we have assessed a range of alternatives to the scheme throughout its development, with the most recent assessment by Atkins published in 2016. The government intends to update the strategic alternatives to phase 2b when it brings forward a hybrid Bill for the Western Leg of Phase 2b.