Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry

Baroness Curran Excerpts

Wednesday 19th November 2025 Lords Chamber

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for that question. This is a very important sector that the Government are working on, and we want to see it improve. The Government highly value regular engagement with the industry. We will be meeting the industry next week, on 26 November, to work out how we can work together and what else we can do to make sure that this sector is a success. We intend to invest in the supply chain. In due course we will publish a hydrogen strategy policy. We should remember as well that, globally, by 2050, this industry could be worth $1 trillion. That is something I want to see the UK be part of.

[Baroness Curran (Lab)]

My Lords, I am sure that my noble friend the Minister is aware that ExxonMobil is planning to close its Mossmorran ethylene plant in Fife in the great footballing nation of Scotland. I could not resist. While that result will give the workers great cheer, I seriously ask the Minister: can he set out what specific support the Government are offering at the site and how quickly that help will be available?

[Lord Wilson of Sedgefield (Lab)]

I thank the noble Baroness for her question. I congratulate Scotland on qualifying for the World Cup, and there were some really good goals last night. It was really sad to hear that news about the plant at Mossmorran, which produces ethylene for export, employing 179 people. The Minister has spoken to the chair of the company and the unions, and the Government stand ready to provide support through the DWP rapid response service. The plant is 40 years old, has been loss-making for five years, and would take £1 billion of investment to turn around. This is a commercial decision by the company. The chair of ExxonMobil has confirmed to the Minister that he was not suggesting that the closure was due to a lack of action by the Government. The Government will do all we can to help those who are in difficulty.