Oral Answers to Questions

Bill Esterson Excerpts

Tuesday 6th January 2026 Commons Chamber

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)]

Happy new year, Mr Speaker.

I hope that the Minister, in his new year’s resolutions, will commit to building the case for the energy transition through lower consumer bills, secure jobs, public health improvements through reduced emissions, and indeed energy security. Does he agree that those who oppose climate action are denying our children and grandchildren a future? Will he endeavour to make the case also to fight against the misinformation, disinformation and outright myths peddled by some Opposition Members?

[Michael Shanks]

Typically, my hon. Friend is right on these points, and yes, it is one of my new year’s resolutions—and I suspect one of my ministerial colleagues’ resolutions as well—for us to redouble our efforts to make the case for this. Just this morning I was reading about yet another study that shows that we underestimate the level of support in the general public for climate action. We have to remember that while there is a lot of noise around this at the moment, the reality is that the public back action on the climate, and it is the right thing to do not just for future generations, as my hon. Friend rightly says, but for our energy security and for good jobs.