Paul Farrelly Portrait

Paul Farrelly

Labour - Former Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme

First elected: 7th June 2001

Left House: 6th November 2019 (Standing Down)


DCMS Sub-Committee on Disinformation
12th Mar 2019 - 6th Nov 2019
Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Culture, Media and Sport Committee
11th Sep 2017 - 6th Nov 2019
Consolidation, &c., Bills (Joint Committee)
6th Dec 2010 - 30th Mar 2015
Privacy and Injunctions (Joint Committee)
14th Jul 2011 - 12th Mar 2012
Consolidation etc. Bills (Joint Committee)
12th Dec 2001 - 6th May 2010
Science and Technology Committee (Commons)
15th Dec 2003 - 17th Jul 2005
Science and Technology Committee
15th Dec 2003 - 17th Jul 2005
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
15th Dec 2003 - 17th Jul 2005


Division Voting information

Paul Farrelly has voted in 2032 divisions, and 37 times against the majority of their Party.

29 Oct 2019 - Early Parliamentary General Election Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 11 Labour No votes vs 127 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 438 Noes - 20
19 Mar 2019 - Foreign Affairs Committee - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Labour No votes vs 168 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 199 Noes - 134
29 Jan 2019 - European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Labour Aye votes vs 3 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 39 Noes - 327
19 Apr 2017 - Early Parliamentary General Election - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 174 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 522 Noes - 13
8 Feb 2017 - European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 52 Labour No votes vs 161 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 494 Noes - 122
6 Feb 2017 - European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 2 Labour Aye votes vs 3 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 62 Noes - 333
1 Feb 2017 - European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 47 Labour No votes vs 166 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 498 Noes - 114
7 Dec 2016 - The Government's Plan for Brexit - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 23 Labour No votes vs 150 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 461 Noes - 89
7 Dec 2016 - The Government's Plan for Brexit - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 9 Labour No votes vs 149 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 448 Noes - 75
23 Mar 2016 - High Speed Rail (London – West Midlands) Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Labour No votes vs 153 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 399 Noes - 42
24 Feb 2010 - Energy Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Labour Aye votes vs 243 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 244 Noes - 252
5 Jan 2010 - Fiscal Responsibility Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Labour No votes vs 246 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 254 Noes - 187
10 Nov 2009 - Welfare Reform Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 22 Labour No votes vs 278 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 286 Noes - 236
9 Nov 2009 - Coroners and Justice Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 31 Labour Aye votes vs 265 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 266 Noes - 274
21 Oct 2009 - Equitable Life - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 18 Labour Aye votes vs 287 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 269 Noes - 294
24 Jun 2009 - Iraq Inquiry - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour Aye votes vs 288 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 260 Noes - 299
18 May 2009 - Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 6 Labour Aye votes vs 251 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 217 Noes - 260
30 Apr 2009 - Members’ Allowances - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 13 Labour Aye votes vs 216 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 96 Noes - 285
30 Apr 2009 - Members’ Allowances - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour No votes vs 210 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 280 Noes - 100
29 Apr 2009 - Gurkha Settlement Rights - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 28 Labour Aye votes vs 238 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 267 Noes - 246
24 Mar 2009 - Coroners and Justice Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 1 Labour No votes vs 269 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 283 Noes - 62
8 Dec 2008 - Business of the House - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 5 Labour Aye votes vs 297 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 234 Noes - 308
8 Dec 2008 - Speaker’s Committee on the Search of Offices on the Parliamentary Estate - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 30 Labour Aye votes vs 274 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 281 Noes - 285
8 Dec 2008 - Speaker’s Committee on the Search of Offices on the Parliamentary Estate - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour No votes vs 282 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 293 Noes - 270
12 Nov 2008 - Regional Accountability - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 8 Labour Aye votes vs 240 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 233 Noes - 250
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 82 Labour Aye votes vs 136 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 155 Noes - 196
3 Jul 2008 - Members’ Salaries - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 66 Labour Aye votes vs 159 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 141 Noes - 216
11 Jun 2008 - New Clause 22 - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 37 Labour No votes vs 292 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 315 Noes - 306
11 Jun 2008 - New Clause 22 - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 26 Labour No votes vs 292 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 315 Noes - 294
10 Jun 2008 - Counter-Terrorism Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 19 Labour Aye votes vs 300 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 287 Noes - 310
12 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 10 Labour No votes vs 253 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 340 Noes - 78
12 May 2008 - Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 7 Labour No votes vs 250 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 265 Noes - 149
7 Mar 2007 - House of Lords Reform - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and in line with the House
One of 156 Labour Aye votes vs 157 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 305 Noes - 267
28 Feb 2007 - Offender Management Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 49 Labour Aye votes vs 256 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 111 Noes - 267
28 Feb 2007 - Offender Management Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 24 Labour No votes vs 283 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 293 Noes - 268
11 Dec 2006 - Offender Management Bill - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted No - against a party majority and against the House
One of 27 Labour No votes vs 265 Labour Aye votes
Tally: Ayes - 411 Noes - 91
1 Nov 2006 - Legislative Process - View Vote Context
Paul Farrelly voted Aye - against a party majority and against the House
One of 42 Labour Aye votes vs 218 Labour No votes
Tally: Ayes - 122 Noes - 354
View All Paul Farrelly Division Votes

All Debates

Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.

Sparring Partners
John Whittingdale (Conservative)
(40 debate interactions)
John Bercow (Speaker)
(24 debate interactions)
Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative)
Foreign Secretary
(21 debate interactions)
View All Sparring Partners
Department Debates
Leader of the House
(74 debate contributions)
Ministry of Justice
(63 debate contributions)
Cabinet Office
(57 debate contributions)
Department for Education
(49 debate contributions)
View All Department Debates
View all Paul Farrelly's debates

Newcastle-under-Lyme Petitions

e-Petitions are administered by Parliament and allow members of the public to express support for a particular issue.

If an e-petition reaches 10,000 signatures the Government will issue a written response.

If an e-petition reaches 100,000 signatures the petition becomes eligible for a Parliamentary debate (usually Monday 4.30pm in Westminster Hall).

Petition Debates Contributed

We call on the Government to urgently increase college funding to sustainable levels, including immediate parity with recently announced increases to schools funding. This will give all students a fair chance, give college staff fair pay and provide the high-quality skills the country needs.


Latest EDMs signed by Paul Farrelly

4th November 2019
Paul Farrelly signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 5th November 2019

Escape the Mind Group, Leuchars

Tabled by: Stephen Gethins (Scottish National Party - North East Fife)
That this House notes the importance of ensuring that members of the armed forces, their families and veterans, who make so many sacrifices to ensure our safety and security, have access to the right support for their health and mental wellbeing; recognises the efforts being made by Amey Defence Services …
2 signatures
(Most recent: 5 Nov 2019)
Signatures by party:
Scottish National Party: 1
Labour: 1
4th November 2019
Paul Farrelly signed this EDM as a sponsor on Tuesday 5th November 2019

Post Office Closures in Blackpool South constituency

Tabled by: Gordon Marsden (Labour - Blackpool South)
That this House expresses its concern about the announcement of closures at three post offices in Blackpool in the last few weeks, Marton, Waterloo and Mereside; notes that this leaves local residents without a range of post office services and without access to free withdrawal facilities at ATMs attached to …
2 signatures
(Most recent: 5 Nov 2019)
Signatures by party:
Labour: 2
View All Paul Farrelly's signed Early Day Motions

Commons initiatives

These initiatives were driven by Paul Farrelly, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.

MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.


Paul Farrelly has not been granted any Urgent Questions

Paul Farrelly has not been granted any Adjournment Debates

Paul Farrelly has not introduced any legislation before Parliament


Latest 50 Written Questions

(View all written questions)
Written Questions can be tabled by MPs and Lords to request specific information information on the work, policy and activities of a Government Department
6 Other Department Questions
30th Sep 2019
To ask the right hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington, representing the House of Commons Commission, when responsibility for Bridge Street subway was transferred to the Parliamentary Estate; and what steps the Commission took to inform Members.

Responsibility for the Bridge Street underpass was transferred to Parliament in May 2019. This followed its temporary closure to the public for health and safety reasons, in order to allow work to take place on the Elizabeth Tower renovation project.

Members were advised of the changes to the management of the area via an email from the House of Commons Communications Team (part of a wider "Pre-Recess update for Members" message) on 22 May 2019. A news item was added to the intranet on the same day. A further update was added on 8 August 2019.

11th Jul 2019
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps she is taking to increase diversity across all levels of FTSE 100 companies.

The Government is working with the business community through the Business Diversity and Inclusion Group to coordinate action to increase diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The Government has commissioned and supports several business-led, independent reviews on promoting diversity. These include the Hampton-Alexander Review which has a 33% target for women on boards and in senior leadership positions across the FTSE 350 by 2020. Also the Parker Review to increase the ethnic diversity of FTSE 350 boards by 2024.

These reviews form part of the Government’s modern Industrial Strategy which aims to build an economy that works for all.

Women hold a higher percentage of senior leadership positions than ever before with 32.3% of women on FTSE 100 boards.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
10th Jul 2019
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of obligating all major employers in the UK to publish their gender and ethnicity pay gap data.

Since introducing regulations in 2017, organisations with 250 or more employees are required to publish gender pay gap data on an annual basis. This has sparked a national conversation, as well as prompting conversations in boardrooms across the country. The unparalleled level of transparency brings to light where inequalities exist, and is inspiring action from employers to bring about change.

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy have consulted on how best to implement mandatory ethnicity pay reporting, including questions on the main benefits for employers in reporting ethnicity pay information and which employers it should apply to. They received over 300 detailed responses to the consultation and will set out next steps in due course.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
5th Apr 2019
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what recent discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Education on the provision of (a) inclusive and (b) positive education about periods and the human body in schools.

The Minister for Women and Equalities recently announced a new Taskforce that will bring together representatives from all sectors to develop comprehensive and sustainable solutions to period poverty. Preparation for this has included discussions with a number of Ministerial colleagues.

The Taskforce will present the opportunity for discussions on education around menstruation. The government is making Health Education compulsory in all state-funded schools, alongside Relationships Education for all primary pupils, and Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) for all secondary pupils from September 2020. As part of this subject, all pupils will be taught about menstruation and menstrual wellbeing at a timely point.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
1st Apr 2019
To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps he is taking to tackle gender pay disparity in the public sector.

We introduced ground-breaking regulations in 2017 requiring large employers, including over 1,600 public bodies, to publish their gender pay gaps annually. The rate at which the gender pay gap will narrow is dependent on a large number of complex factors, but this Government is working hard to close the gap as soon as possible.

In order to support employers to address their gender pay differences, we have published evidence-based guidance on practical actions they can take to close the gap, alongside help to diagnose the causes of their gaps and develop effective action plans.

We have been working with Government departments and representative bodies to understand the underlying causes of the gender pay gap in different public sector workforces, and to consider what measures will have a positive impact. We have also engaged directly with employers in the public sector, through events and interactive webinars. We will continue to build the evidence base in order to support employers to continue to take the right action.

Victoria Atkins
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
9th May 2019
To ask the Attorney General, what recent assessment he has made of the effect on victims of rape of CPS rape and sexual offence legal guidance in relation to disclosure of medical records and counselling notes.

All complainants are entitled to protection from unnecessary and unjustified invasion of their private lives. Medical records and counselling notes will routinely engage an individual’s Article 8 ECHR right to privacy.

CPS guidance is clear that where it is a reasonable line of enquiry in the investigation, the police should obtain the complainant’s informed consent to gain access to these records and, in the limited circumstances where it is appropriate, to enable disclosure of material to the defence. Where records amount to unused material, prosecutors will robustly apply the relevant statutory provisions when deciding whether such material should be disclosed to the defence.

The CPS is working with the police and stakeholders to ensure complainants are aware of why their records are required and how they will be used to allow them to make an informed decision.

Lucy Frazer
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport
24th Jun 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether he has plans to give prisoners in England the right to vote.

It is the Government’s long-established position that when someone commits a crime, which is sufficiently serious to receive a prison sentence, they are deemed to have broken their contract with society to such an extent that they should not have the right to vote until they are ready to be back in the community.

12th Jun 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department is taking to increase voter registration among homeless people.

The Government is committed to ensuring our democracy is robust, trusted and open so all those who are eligible can participate with confidence. We have convened partners in local authorities and homeless charities to codesign and test ideas to address barriers to electoral registration for the homeless. These will be made available shortly on Gov.uk.

8th May 2019
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what steps his Department has taken to ensure that the public sector has the required IT infrastructure in place to enable a paperless society.

The Government Digital Service works with departments across central government to build digital capability, develop and implement common tools and standards, and ensure government remains focused on the needs of end users when designing digital services.

The Local Digital Declaration is a set of principles and commitments by which central and local government will work together to share tools and best practice in order to help get more public services online.

Over 16 million customers now access their Personal Tax Account online; over 90% of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Association’s (DVLA) transactions (over 1 billion in 2017/18) are now completed online; and over 5.7 million people have used the voter registration digital service.

Oliver Dowden
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
28th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of restricting firework use to (a) licensed public displays at certain times of year and (b) organised events.

I have asked the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) to compile a fact-based evidence base on the key issues that have been raised around fireworks. This includes looking at data around noise and disturbance, anti-social behaviour, non-compliance, environmental impact, and the impact on humans and animals.

The aim of the evidence base is to build a full picture of the data around fireworks in order to identify the key issues and what action - if any - is appropriate.

28th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Midlands Engine policy focuses on the densely populated areas that surround big cities.

As part of levelling up the regions the government is committed to a Midlands Engine Strategy to stimulate growth and increase productivity across the whole of the Midlands Engine region including densely populated areas that surround big cities. For example, we made commitments in the 2017 Midlands Engine Strategy to launch 5G tests beds to enhance digital connectivity in the region, including a Worcestershire test bed; to support the eight Enterprise Zones across the Midlands, including the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone in Staffordshire; and to allocate £392m of Local Growth Fund funding which is supporting a wide range of projects including £8.5 million for first phase improvements to the Hanley-Bentilee link road, and £6.9 million to support the formation of an Advanced Manufacturing Hub in Stoke and Staffordshire.

16th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether the Government plans to (a) remove biomass subsidies and (b) increase support more sustainable, environmentally-friendly alternatives.

Sustainable biomass is currently eligible for support under the Contract for Difference (CFD), the Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) and the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

We have announced that all support for coal to biomass conversions will end in 2027.

The consultation on ‘Renewable Heat Incentive: biomass combustion in urban areas’ included the question of excluding new biomass installations in urban areas on the gas grid. A government response will be published in due course. The RHI has funding committed until March 2021 and any further funding will be a matter for future budget-related decisions.

Sustainable biomass remains an important part of a balanced energy mix, along with other renewables such as wind or solar.

14th Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the share of the miners' pension scheme’s surplus that goes to former miners.

The Government does not intend to change the current surplus-sharing arrangements that have worked well for all parties. Instead, we are considering the Trustees’ proposals for changes to the scheme that include protection of bonuses already accrued and hope to reach agreement shortly. We will update the House in due course.

2nd Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the share of the miners' pension scheme’s surplus that goes to former miners.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

1st Oct 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps her Department is taking to support research into cost-effective alternatives to coal for heavy industry.

The Department understands the need for industry to decarbonise as the UK moves towards net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. To support this priority, the Department is currently running, or intending to run, the following R&D programmes that focus on industrial decarbonisation, which may consider bids for cost-effective alternatives to coal:

- The Industrial Fuel Switching Competition is a £20m competition, funded by the BEIS £505m Energy Innovation Portfolio (2016-2021), which aims to identify and test the processes and technologies required for industries in the UK to switch to low carbon fuels;

- The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund was announced at Budget 2018 as a new fund worth up to £315 million to support businesses with high energy use to transition to a low carbon future and to cut their bills through increased energy efficiency;

- The Clean Steel Fund, is a £250m programme, currently under consultation, will support the UK steel sector to transition to lower carbon iron and steel production through new technologies and processes;

- The Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund has two relevant challenges, including the industrial decarbonisation challenge which is focused on heavy industry, and the Transforming Foundation Industries challenge, which is focused on energy and resource efficiency.

30th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to require employers to provide domestic abuse survivors with (a) flexible working arrangements and (b) a period of paid leave.

Domestic abuse is a devastating crime which shatters the lives of victims and their families, and this Government remains committed to transforming the response to this abuse. That is why we have introduced the landmark Domestic Abuse Bill, which had its Second Reading on 2 October and will be carried over to the next Parliamentary session.

Employers should take all steps which are reasonably possible to ensure their health, safety and wellbeing of their employees.

We know that 97% of employers offer some form of flexible working. Many employers also offer compassionate leave or special leave to employees to enable them to take time to deal with a wide range of circumstances. This type of leave is agreed between the employer and the employee, either as a contractual entitlement or on a discretionary basis.

5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps she has taken to ensure that ceramics companies in North Staffordshire are able to avoid delays in getting raw materials to factories and avoid incurring additional costs when exporting goods in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

5th Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps her Department is taking to strengthen links between manufacturers of packaging and recycling mills to ensure more packaging can be returned and reused.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

2nd Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing the share of the miners' pension scheme’s surplus that goes to former miners.

It has not proved possible to respond to the hon. Member in the time available before Prorogation.

2nd Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps the Government is taking to ensure that the parental leave system supports men and women equally to take time out of the workplace to care for children.

The Shared Parental Leave & Pay scheme was introduced in 2015. This scheme gives eligible working parents more choice and flexibility around which of them cares for their child in the first year and when they do this.

We are currently consulting on high-level options for how we can better balance the gender division of the parental leave and pay system. Responses to the consultation will be considered alongside our evaluation of the Shared Parental Leave & Pay scheme which is already underway.

2nd Sep 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether her Department plans to provide cash flow support to manufacturers in the event of the UK leaving the EU without a deal.

The Government has been clear that should the UK leave the EU without a deal, we would support businesses through whatever appropriate action is necessary.

Programmes operated by the Government owned British Business Bank are currently supporting more than £6.6 billion of finance to over 89,000 SMEs.

In particular, the Enterprise Finance Guarantee (EFG) facilitates business finance to smaller businesses that are viable but unable to obtain finance from their lender due to having insufficient security to meet the lender’s normal requirements.

15th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to (a) support the growth and (b) minimise the adverse environmental effects of the bioplastics industry.

This Government is building a globally competitive sustainable plastics industry through research and innovation. As announced in the recent Bioeconomy Strategy, the Department will provide up to £60 million, bolstered by considerable industry support, to establish the UK as the world’s leading innovator in smart sustainable plastic packaging. We will soon be launching a call for evidence on the impacts of bio-based and biodegradable plastics on the environment and their interaction with the circular economy.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
11th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support businesses to develop new and more sustainable vegetation oils as a replacement for palm oil.

The Government is committed to working with business and others to create a UK market for sustainably sourced palm oil for households and reduce the environmental impact of palm oil production overseas.

In 2012, the Government convened an industry-led UK Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil. This brought together trade associations for palm oil-using sectors to improve reporting, traceability and understanding of supply chains to increase the use of certified palm oil. As a result the market share of sustainable palm oil in the UK has increased from 16% in 2010 to 75% in 2017.

Internationally, as a member of the Amsterdam Declarations Partnership, the UK is driving 100% sustainable palm oil supply chains in Europe. The UK also supports the Tropical Forest Alliance (TFA) which recently secured the Marrakesh Declaration on palm oil. The Declaration has seen seven African palm oil producing countries and major companies agree principles for responsible palm oil.

This builds on earlier Government efforts to tackle non-household use of vegetable oils such as palm oil in sectors such as biofuels, by promoting waste-derived biofuels. Two thirds of biofuels in 2017-2018 were from such wastes.

We recognise that more remains to be done and will continue to explore opportunities to improve the sustainability of palm oil production.

9th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department plans to support industry-led initiatives to close the artificial intelligence skills gap.

The Industrial Strategy sets out the Government’s vision to make the UK a global centre for AI and data innovation, which includes developing the skills that will contribute to building the best environment for AI development and deployment. We have created the Office for AI (a joint unit between the departments: Business Energy and Industrial Strategy and Digital Culture Media and Sport) to oversee that vision.

The AI Sector Deal brings together commitments from Government, Industry and Academia in a near £0.95bn package of support to promote the adoption and use of AI.

To date, some of the key Government investment in AI skills and talent has included:

  • £100m for 16 New Centres for Doctoral Training at universities across the country, delivering 1,000 new PhDs over the next 5 years;
  • £50m of funding agreed at Autumn Budget for new prestigious AI fellowships to attract and retain the top AI talent; and
  • £13.5m government funding to build new conversion courses to expand pathways into AI and Data specialisms as well as scholarships to improve diversity

Further, through the Government’s Office for AI, we are working with Industry and Academia to develop a new industry-funded AI Masters programme, in collaboration with the British Computer Society and the Institute of Coding. Partnerships between industry stakeholders and universities are being established that will produce the postgraduates industry partners need.

The Office for AI is in regular discussion with industry and continues to welcome other initiatives aimed at increasing artificial intelligence skills in the UK.

8th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to support the UK biomass energy industry to be completely sustainable.

The UK Government has introduced mandatory sustainability criteria for biomass for heat and power generation. These are some of the most stringent criteria in Europe.

The sustainability criteria ensure biomass reduces carbon emissions and is sourced sustainably. The criteria include a minimum 60% lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions saving, compared to emissions from an EU fossil fuel comparator for electricity. The calculation requires transport, growing and processing emissions to be included. Generators only receive subsidies for the electricity output which complies with our sustainability criteria.

We keep the sustainability criteria under review.

8th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with car manufacturers in the UK on creating a battery gigafactory to make the UK less dependent on essential materials which are currently sourced abroad.

The Government is in regular dialogue with car manufacturers in the UK on a range of opportunities to support the transition to zero emission vehicles and to new supply chains, including batteries.

The UK is a highly attractive location for battery manufacturing. It is home to Europe’s first volume automotive battery production facility at Sunderland, owned by Envision AESC. In April 2019, the Advanced Propulsion Centre published a report showing the strength of the UK chemicals and materials supply chain for batteries, representing a £4.8bn a year supply chain opportunity by 2030.

Through our Industrial Strategy and landmark Automotive Sector Deal, we are placing the UK at the forefront of new automotive technology development. The Sector Deal which was developed in partnership with the industry, working through the Automotive Council, includes a joint ambition to establish battery manufacturing a scale, a “gigafactory”, in the UK. Central to this, government has committed £274m to the Faraday Battery Challenge (FBC) to help businesses in the UK lead the world in the design, development and manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles.

Under the FBC government has invested £108m in the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC) which will open in 2020 and provide a state-of-the-art pilot facility to test new cell technology. UKBIC will play a key role in laying the groundwork to secure a battery gigafactory. It will do this by allowing collaborative R&D by UK cell manufacturers, battery pack assemblers and car makers to take place, proving out cell chemistries, formats and manufacturing processes at industrial rates.

This is an essential step to allow UK companies to quickly develop their capabilities to manufacture batteries, scale up and get them to market.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
5th Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department has taken to inform the public of the (a) need to de-carbonise heat and (b) potential changes required to domestic appliances.

Heating our homes, businesses and industry accounts for nearly half of all energy use in the UK and a third of our carbon emissions. Meeting our emission reduction targets implies decarbonising nearly all heat in buildings and most industrial processes. Given the diversity of heat demand, no one solution can provide the best option for everyone – a mix of technologies and customer options will need to be available, potentially bringing extensive change for consumers.

Public awareness of the need to decarbonise heat, and the potential impacts of doing so, is currently low. This needs to change to enable a fully informed debate about long term options. In order to support this debate, BEIS officials have commissioned research to improve our understanding of current public awareness, attitudes and preferences for different approaches to decarbonising heat, and explore options for engaging stakeholders and the wider public in the development of heat policy. The Department will publish a new roadmap for policy on heat decarbonisation next year.

3rd Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of ensuring that new gas boilers are hydrogen-ready.

The Government considers that hydrogen technologies have the potential to make an important contribution to decarbonising heating.

The Department commissioned Frazer Nash to prepare the report ‘Appraisal of Domestic Hydrogen Appliances’, published in 2018, which discusses the feasibility and merits of hydrogen-ready appliances as well as the adaption of existing natural gas appliances and new designated hydrogen fuelled appliances.

The Department is also currently delivering the Hy4Heat innovation programme; an ongoing programme assessing the feasibility of hydrogen heating applications in buildings. This programme supports the design, development and testing of domestic hydrogen appliances, including investigating the potential for products, such as hydrogen-ready boilers, to facilitate conversion:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/appraisal-of-domestic-hydrogen-appliances.

3rd Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to the report entitled, The state of the nation: The UK Family Business Sector 2018-19 by Oxford Economics, published in July 2019, what steps his Department is taking to make it easier for family businesses to access external finance.

As the report notes, the family business sector is vital to the UK economy, employing over 13 million people and generating more than a quarter of the nation’s GDP. In May this year, I attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Family Business and discussed a range of issues including access to external finance. The authors of the Report, The Institute for Family Business, are also a member of the BEIS SME Advisory Board, who last met on 24 June.

As part of the modern Industrial Strategy, this Department’s aim is to improve access to finance for all UK businesses, including family-owned businesses. The Government-backed British Business Bank supports more than £6.4bn of finance to over 85,000 SMEs. The Bank’s online Finance Hub also helps small business owners identify potential sources of finance via the finance finder web tool.

The Business Bank has also established a UK Network, with team members based within each of the English regions and the three Devolved Nations. The UK Network works with small business finance intermediaries to enhance business finance ecosystems across the UK, so smaller businesses, wherever they are, can grow and prosper.

In addition, Government has actively supported and invested in the creation of 38 Growth Hubs (one in each Local Enterprise Partnership area), providing businesses across England support and advice via a free and impartial, local single point of contact. At the end of FY18/19, Government had invested £56.4 million in Growth Hubs.

The Government provides support and advice to all types of businesses through our core services including GOV.UK, the Business Support Helpline and Growth Hubs operating in England.

1st Jul 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of enabling investors to realise returns while solar power plants, onshore and offshore wind farms and hydroelectric power plants are being built to ensure that projects go ahead.

The existing renewable support schemes are designed so that payment is based on generation, and ensures that renewable assets are attractive to investors. Over 42GW of new renewables have been constructed through the Contracts for Difference, Renewables Obligation and Feed in Tariffs Schemes (to 2018).

21st Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of including (a) aviation and (b) shipping in the statutory regime for the Government's net zero carbon target.

The Government is clear on the need for action to tackle emissions from the whole economy – including emissions from international aviation and shipping. Emissions from domestic flights and shipping are already covered by our existing domestic legislation and our carbon budgets provide “headroom” for the inclusion of international aviation and shipping emissions. This will continue to be the case for a net zero target.

Emissions from international aviation and shipping are a global problem requiring a global solution. That is why we are working closely with the relevant international organisations, the International Maritime Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization, to ensure we and the rest of the world are taking ambitious action.

14th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether his Department has plans to support local community (a) ownership and (b) control of onshore wind farms.

The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government’s policy on onshore wind and explains that for new schemes to be acceptable they should be on a site allocated in a development plan and have community support.

The NPPF also sets out that in principle local planning authorities should support community-led initiatives for renewable and low carbon energy.

12th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent discussions he has had with the Minister for Women and Equalities on compulsory disability awareness training for all employers and employees.

BEIS Ministers and Officials talk regularly with OGD colleagues and disability and employment is part of those discussions. BEIS Ministers sit on the Inter-Ministerial Group on Disability which is chaired by the Minister of State for Disabled People, Health and Work.

11th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on bringing forward the 2040 deadline to end the sale of new conventional petrol and diesel cars.

BEIS Ministers and officials regularly engage with their counterparts in other departments on clean growth matters including ultra low and zero emission vehicle policy. We set out in our Road to Zero strategy published last year our mission to put the UK at the forefront of the design and manufacturing of zero emission vehicles, and for all new cars and vans to be effectively zero emission by 2040.

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on legislating for net zero, we will build on the strong frameworks of the Clean Growth Strategy and Industrial Strategy to deliver on that target in all sectors of the economy, including transport. The Government is committed to supporting the transition to zero emission vehicles, which can cut carbon, reduce air pollution, and help us grow the economy as part of our Industrial Strategy.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
10th Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps the Government has taken to promote carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies.

The Government believes that carbon capture, usage and storage (CCUS) has the potential to play an important role in meeting the UK’s climate targets. CCUS can add value to the economy and help tackle hard to decarbonise sectors.

The Government published its CCUS Action Plan in November 2018, designed to progress CCUS in the UK, including enabling the UK’s first CCUS facility to be operational from the mid-2020s. The Government is investing over £50 million in CCUS innovation support between 2017 and March 2021.

CCUS is also likely to play an important role in achieving our Industrial Clusters Mission, creating the world’s first net-zero industrial cluster by 2040. This is supported by up to £170 million from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund to support the deployment of low carbon technologies and enabling infrastructure in one or more clusters. In addition, through our Industrial Energy Transformation Fund we are investing £315 million to support businesses with high energy use to cut their bills and emissions through increased energy efficiency and transition to a low carbon future through the use of lower carbon energy and processes. This may support CCUS projects.

In March this year, the Government launched the CCUS Advisory Group. Backed by government and industry support, the Group will provide advice on the potential incentives and regulations needed for the development of a new UK market in CCUS.

The Government is also working with other governments to promote the development of CCUS internationally. We hosted, with the International Energy Agency, the Global CCUS Summit in Edinburgh last November which brought together world energy leaders from governments and industry to accelerate the global progress of CCUS and co-lead the CCUS initiatives under both Mission Innovation and the Clean Energy Ministerial.

3rd Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the merits of working shorter hours to tackle climate change.

The UK is a world leader in cutting emissions while creating wealth. Between 1990 and 2017, the UK reduced its emissions by over 40 per cent while growing the economy by more than two thirds. The Clean Growth Strategy sets out our plans to build on our progress in decarbonising the power sector, while looking further across the whole of the economy and the country. It includes ambitious proposals on housing, business, transport, the natural environment and green finance. We have not made any assessment of the impact of working shorter hours on climate change.

The Government does, though, continue to support flexible working practices, as part of our commitment to ensuring that everyone can access fair and decent work as set out in the Good Work Plan. For example, all employees with 26 weeks’ continuous service with their employer have the right to request Flexible Working. We have also committed to consult on a new duty on employers to consider when a job can be done flexibly, and make that clear when advertising.

3rd Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of creating a more sustainable steel industry with a focus on recycling steel.

We are working with the sector, the unions and devolved administrations to support the UK steel industry to develop a long-term sustainable solution for the UK steel industry. The Department commissioned independent research to identify high value opportunities for UK steel, worth up to £3.8 billion a year by 2030.

In the 2018 Budget, my rt. hon. Friend Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an Industrial Energy Transformation Fund with investment of £315 million to help businesses with high energy use to cut their bills and transition UK industry to a low carbon future. Through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, we are also providing up to £66 million, subject to industry co-funding, to transform foundation industries which includes steel, to develop radical new technologies and establish innovation centres of excellence in these sectors.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)
3rd Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to create more jobs in the renewable energy sector.

Clean Growth is at the heart of this Government’s modern Industrial Strategy. There are currently 400,000 jobs in the low carbon economy, with the ambition to have 2 million by 2030.

We’ve injected £2.5 billion into low-carbon innovation and earlier this year struck a deal with the offshore wind industry, which will see up to £40 billion worth of infrastructure investment in the UK, creating clean, green electricity, good jobs and sustained growth across the UK. Under the Offshore Wind Sector Deal, industry aims to more than triple the number of ‘green collar’ jobs in the sector to 27,000 by 2030, up from the current figure of 7,200.

3rd Jun 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the potential merits of increasing investment in pumped hydro storage facilities.

We recognise that electricity storage technologies, including pumped hydro storage, provide an important source of flexibility to our energy system. We currently have around 3GW of storage capacity on our system, of which the vast majority is pumped hydro storage. The Electricity System Operator outlines that, by 2050, there could be 12-29 GW of total storage capacity on our system.

In our Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan, published in July 2017 (and updated in October 2018), Government and Ofgem set out a range of actions to remove barriers to electricity storage. Our work seeks to enable fair access to energy markets in order to create a best in class regulatory framework for the sector and includes several important reforms to our electricity market, including to the balancing mechanism, capacity market and balancing services, which serve to sharpen incentives to invest in storage.

We will continue to engage with storage developers, including those of pumped hydro projects, to understand how to facilitate these technologies whilst ensuring best value for consumers and fair competition between different flexibility technologies.

20th May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps he has taken to ensure that interns are paid at least (a) the national minimum wage and (b) the national living wage.

The law is clear that any individual performing work is entitled to receive the National Minimum and National Living Wage (NMW). The Government is committed to enforcing this right. In 2018/19 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) identified a record £24.4 million in arrears for over 220,000 workers and issued over £17 million in penalties to non-compliant employers. The budget to enforce the NMW stands at its highest ever.

HMRC have contacted over 2,000 employers found to be advertising unpaid internships online to ensure they are compliant with the law. They have also issued over 15,000 letters to employers in industries where internships are common to remind them of their responsibilities.

Earlier this month my hon Friend the Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) (Digital Policy) (Margot James) and I co-hosted a roundtable on internships with employers and organisations in the creative industries. Discussion focused on how Government can work better with employers to raise the profile of existing rules and ensure that interns are paid in accordance with NMW law. The event provided important insight which will be used to improve compliance with the law across all sectors.

Anyone who feels they are being underpaid the NMW should contact Acas for free impartial advice or make a complaint directly to HMRC through their online form. HMRC follow up on every worker complaint received, even those which are anonymous.

16th May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, pursuant to the Answer of 30 April 2019 to Question 245672 on Consumers: Internet, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 are fully enforced.

Part 8 of the Enterprise Act 2008 provides for a number of enforcers, such as Trading Standards and the Competition and Markets Authority, to enforce consumer protection legislation, including the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. Alleged breaches of legislation should be reported in the first instance through the Citizens Advice consumer service on 03454 04 05 06 (www.citizensadvice.org.uk/). The helpline will refer on alleged breaches of legislation to the relevant authority for appropriate enforcement action.

10th May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps his Department has taken to ensure that the national minimum wage is enforced.

Enforcement of the National Minimum and National Living Wage (NMW) is a priority for the Government. Since 2015 we have doubled the budget to enforce the NMW and we are taking tough action against the minority of employers who underpay. In 2018/19 HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) identified a record £24.4 million in arrears for over 220,000 workers and issued over £17 million in penalties to non-compliant employers.

HMRC proactively investigates employers where they identify a risk of non-compliance; this work accounts for around half of all investigations undertaken. In addition, HMRC responds to every worker complaint regarding NMW payment including those made anonymously.

Government is committed to helping employers comply with NMW rules first time; in April we launched a £1 million communications campaign to raise awareness and understanding of NMW rules among both workers and employers.

9th May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to require companies to disclose the proportion of their assets under management originating from countries with a poor record of human rights.

Companies registered in the UK are required to report the value of their global assets within their annual accounts but there are no plans to introduce requirements to report on their assets in relation to human rights.

Government has introduced other requirements on companies in relation to human rights Quoted companies are required to report on human rights issues, as they relate to the company, within the narrative part of their annual report. Companies must include a description of their business model and of their policies, in relation to human rights, and the effectiveness of those policies. The information provided must be to the extent necessary for an understanding of the development, performance or position of the company’s business and the impact of its activities.

These requirements are enhanced by voluntary guidance and standards, including the UN’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

3rd May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps he is taking to ensure that non-EU migrants working in the (a) cleaning and (b) hospitality industry receive the statutory rights they are entitled to under UK law.

Non-EU migrants working legally in the UK are entitled to the same workplace statutory protections as any other worker. Fair and effective enforcement is central to the Good Work Plan, which sets out the biggest upgrade of employment rights in a generation. Building on existing minimum wage and agency worker enforcement, we are expanding state enforcement to cover holiday payments for the most vulnerable workers and intermediary companies that operate in the agency worker market.

Government has taken concrete measures to increase the number of labour market inspectors and extend their coverage.

  • Government has increased funding for HMRC’s enforcement of the National Minimum and Living Wage (NMW) to a record high of £26.3 million for 2018/19.
  • Funding for the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has also risen in the last two years to reflect the expansion of its remit to tackle labour exploitation. The GLAA now receives over £7m per year in funding, up from £4.5m in 2016/17.
  • The Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate has seen its funding increase from £0.5m in 2016/17 to £0.725m in 2018/19.

These three enforcement bodies continue to ensure workers receive the protections they are entitled to. As well as responding to every complaint they receive, all three undertake proactive, intelligence-led enforcement, targeting employers and sectors where the risks of non-compliance are highest, including in the cleaning and hospitality sectors.

Government is also exploring options for a single labour market enforcement body – we will publish proposals on this for consultation shortly. More recently we announced that this consultation will consider extending the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority’s licensing scheme to further sectors and that we will ensure trade unions and businesses are consulted on the strategic direction of labour market enforcement.

1st May 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to ensure businesses receive adequate training on risks presented by environmental challenges.

The Environment Agency provides advice on how businesses should comply with environmental law through guidance on Gov.uk. In order to regulate businesses it provides advice on the best available techniques and approaches that enable businesses to comply with the law and helps businesses with the best available compliance techniques. We are also committed to working closely with the private sector to support the effective management of climate-related financial risks.

29th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent steps he has taken to train and prepare workers for the impact of artificial intelligence.

The Industrial Strategy sets out the Government’s vision to make the UK a global centre for AI and data innovation, alongside measures to ensure our people are equipped to capitalise on those opportunities.

We are improving the UK's system for training in digital skills and lifelong learning to ensure that working people have the support they need to navigate the challenge of automation to a higher-wage future. Through the Industrial Strategy we are delivering:

  • 16 New Centres for Doctoral Training at universities across the country, delivering 1,000 new PhDs over the next 5 years;
  • New prestigious AI fellowships to attract and retain the top AI talent, underpinned by up to £50m of funding agreed at Autumn Budget
  • Industry-funding for new AI Masters places;
  • Invested £406m in maths, digital and technical education; and
  • Committed £100m for the first phase of developing the National Retraining Scheme to support people vulnerable to technological change.

The Government’s Good Work Plan was published in December 2018 and will ensure that the labour market continues to work for everyone. The Plan commits to a wide range of policy and legislative changes to ensure that workers can access fair and decent work, that both employers and workers have the clarity they need to understand their employment relationships, and that the enforcement system is fair and fit for purpose.

26th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to include methane in the UK's net-zero emissions targets.

Following the publication of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s special report on the impact of global warming of 1.5°C in October 2018, the Government commissioned its independent experts, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC), to provide their advice on the implications of the Paris Agreement for the UK’s long-term emissions reduction targets. This commission included a request for options for the date by which the UK should achieve a) a net zero greenhouse gas target and/or b) a net zero carbon target. The advice will therefore address carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, including methane. The CCC’s advice is due on 2 May and we will consider it carefully when it is received.

24th Apr 2019
To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) cost and (b) environmental consequences of nuclear energy.

All nuclear new build projects are assessed on a case by case basis to ensure they provide value for money for taxpayers and consumers. Before a new nuclear power station can be built and operated, the operator must apply for and obtain a number of permissions from the independent regulators and from Government. The assessment of environmental impact is an important consideration in regulators deciding whether relevant permissions should be issued and what conditions should be attached to the permissions. In addition, potential new nuclear technologies are considered under the Justification Regulations, with ‘Justification’ being the process by which Government determines whether the potential benefits of a practice making use of ionising radiation outweigh its potential risks. Furthermore, all developers of new build stations are required to have a Funded Decommissioning Programme approved by the Secretary of State before nuclear-related construction can begin. This ensures the taxpayer does not bear the burden for future costs of turning the station into a greenfield site once generation has ceased.

Andrew Stephenson
Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)