Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gregory Campbell and Andrew Bowie

Tuesday 27th February 2024 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bowie]

I thank my right hon. Friend for her question, and reassure her that we take all those concerns incredibly seriously. I am very happy to meet her and any other Member of Parliament who has concerns about the plans being put forward in their constituency. As I have said, it is really important that everybody—from Members of Parliament through to those in the community who are affected by or have concerns about plans—can engage with the planning process at every stage. We will do what we can to address those concerns while meeting our ambitious target of deploying 70 GW of solar by 2035.

[Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)]

I am delighted to see you in your place, Mr Speaker. Some people have short memories.

Bearing in mind the difficulties that farmers are facing, particularly those with rocky or infertile land, will the Minister have discussions with his colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to ensure that some of that land is used in ways that maximise the benefit to the farming community, as well as contributing to net zero?

[Andrew Bowie]

I thank the hon. Member for his question. I can assure him that we are already engaging with the National Farmers Union; indeed, it has been working with the solar taskforce to enable us to work with farmers and understand their concerns. I am very happy to meet farming representatives from all parts of the United Kingdom to determine how we can best support them and reach our net zero objectives by the date we have set ourselves.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gregory Campbell and Andrew Bowie

Tuesday 4th July 2023 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)]

The Secretary of State outlined the progress being made on small modular nuclear reactors. Can he provide an estimate of how many there might be within 10 years?

[Andrew Bowie]

Great British Nuclear will be launched later in July. We will also be launching the draw-down selection process for which technologies we will invest in and support. I would be delighted to speak to the hon. Gentleman in more detail about that progress moving forward.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Gregory Campbell and Andrew Bowie

Tuesday 23rd May 2023 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bowie]

Years of world-leading green investment has meant we have connected the second highest amount of renewable electricity in Europe since 2010. That has, of course, put pressure on the electricity network, and reducing connection timescales is a high priority for the Government, as I have already set out multiple times this afternoon.

[Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)]

A more rapid escalation towards net zero could be achieved by a significant increase in electric vehicle charging points, particularly in areas where there are very few, such as Portstewart and East Londonderry in my constituency. What meetings will the Minister have, and what pressure will he apply, to try to ensure that there is a significant increase between now and 2030?