Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment her Department has made of the impact of publicly owned energy generation assets on domestic retail tariffs.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy was established as a publicly owned energy company to increase public ownership of clean energy, accelerate the deployment of homegrown generation and ensure taxpayers, billpayers and communities reap the benefits.
By investing in, developing and owning clean energy generation, Great British Energy will accelerate the deployment of homegrown clean power, reducing our exposure to volatile international fossil fuel markets and helping to bring down bills for good.
Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what progress Great British Nuclear has made in selecting technologies for the Small Modular Reactor deployment programme.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy – Nuclear (GBE-N) is driving forward the small modular reactor (SMR) programme, backed by £2.6 billion across the Spending Review period.
Following a competitive selection process, GBE-N and Rolls-Royce SMR entered into a Technology Partner contract earlier this year, and are now jointly undertaking design work to progress the Gwyndod SMR project on Anglesey in North Wales.
Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent progress Great British Energy has made in developing its Local Power Plan to support community-owned clean energy projects.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Through up to £1 billion investment in a combination of grants, loans, advice, expert help and more, the Local Power Plan will accelerate the build out of clean power in communities across the country delivering on Great British Energy's (GBE) commitment to support at least 1000 local and community-led clean energy projects. It represents the largest public investment in community energy in this country’s history.
In September this year, GBE launched £30 million of funding to kick start the community power revolution. This will help community organisations to develop community owned clean energy assets in England, Wales and Northern Ireland; local authorities in England to accelerate clean energy projects; and the Scottish government to support community energy in Scotland.
This builds on the up to £255 million GBE Solar Partnerships Scheme that will see solar and complementary technologies installed on around 250 schools, 260 NHS sites, and multiple military sites delivering lifetime savings of up to £520 million. Additionally, over £16 million has been allocated to Mayoral Strategic Authorities to support renewable energy on public buildings.
Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of expanded public infrastructure ownership on wholesale market price volatility.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Officials are currently considering options to increase public control in the energy system. As these options are developed, officials will consider impacts across areas including wholesale market price volatility where relevant.
Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent discussions she has had with Ofgem on the alignment of the RIIO-3 network price controls with strategic industrial demand forecasts.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Ofgem, as the independent energy regulator, is responsible for setting the RIIO-3 network price controls, including determining investment allowances for regulated energy networks.
Ministers and officials engage regularly with Ofgem on strategic network investment requirements, including how the regulatory framework can respond to evolving electricity demand forecasts associated with economic growth, industrial electrification and the clean energy transition. While RIIO3 decisions remain for Ofgem, the government continues to work closely with the regulator to ensure the framework is adaptable to future network needs while delivering value for money consumers.
Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment his Department has made of the comparative effectiveness of targeted VAT reductions versus temporary consumer stimulus schemes on employment retention in the service sector.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The government does not in general publish internal evidence relating to, or assessments of, tax changes which are not currently intended to be made.
The Chancellor makes decisions on tax policy at fiscal events, and does not routinely comment on proposals.
Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of utilising Public Sector Net Worth as a primary fiscal metric on long-term public infrastructure investment.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The Chancellor and the Prime Minister are united in meeting the fiscal rules, balancing the books with a buffer against uncertainty, controlling borrowing to bear down on inflation and debt interest costs, and reducing long term pressures on our public finances
The investment rule, one of the two key fiscal rules, targets Public Sector Net Financial Liabilities. This captures all financial assets including illiquid ones, recognising the value of assets such as loans and equity that are expected to yield a financial return that pays their debt interest costs
As set out in the Charter for Budget Responsibility, in setting fiscal policy, the Treasury considers a wide range of metrics to inform a full assessment of the sustainability of the public finances. Furthermore, at every medium-term forecast the Office for Budget Responsibility independently analyses and comments on fiscal sustainability, with reference to a set of metrics that includes Public Sector Net Worth.
Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what recent assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of expanding the operational mandate of Great British Energy on long-term price stability.
Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
Great British Energy’s operational mandate is set through the statutory framework established by the Great British Energy Act 2025 and the Secretary of State’s Statement of Strategic Priorities. Its activities include investment in local and community energy, domestic supply chains and electricity network infrastructure. As set out in GBE’s Strategic Plan, by investing in more diverse, homegrown clean energy, GBE can help reduce our exposure to volatile international fossil fuel markets and give households greater long-term energy price stability.
Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, what assessment his Department has made of the potential economic impact of expanding statutory paternity leave allowances on female labour market participation.
Answered by Kate Dearden - Minister of State (Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade)
The Government recognises that the design of parental leave and pay can affect parents’ participation in the labour market. The Parental Leave and Pay Review is considering how the current system supports economic growth through labour market participation, including its impact on the gender pay gap and motherhood penalty.
All existing parental leave and pay entitlements are within scope, including paternity leave and pay.
The Review will conclude in early 2027 with a set of findings in which the Government will outline next steps for taking any potential reforms forward to implementation.
Asked by: Chris Bloore (Labour - Redditch)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the potential revenue yield from aligning capital gains tax rates with income tax bands.
Answered by James Murray - Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Paymaster General
The Government has taken significant steps to reform Capital Gains Tax (CGT), including increasing the main rates of CGT from 10% for basic rate taxpayers and 20% for higher rate taxpayers to 18% and 24% respectively.
CGT receipts are forecast to almost triple from around £14 billion at the start of this Parliament to £41 billion by 2031-32.