Middle East: Economic Update

Debate between Rachel Reeves and Ben Goldsborough

Tuesday 21st April 2026 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Reeves]

I was really pleased last week to sign with Rolls-Royce the contract for the first fleet of small modular reactors in the UK. They will be located on Anglesey, but they will create jobs for people from Derby to Warrington and from Manchester to Sheffield, and of course in north Wales and on Anglesey itself. We are also working with Rolls-Royce as it looks to secure contracts overseas, as it already has with Czechia, creating more good jobs here in Britain for this exciting new technology, which will also have the benefit of secure, home-grown energy.

[Ben Goldsborough (South Norfolk) (Lab)]

Because of the action of this Government, rural communities in Norfolk received the highest payment of support for heating oil, with more than £3 million in the whole of England. However, a huge concern is that more than 60% of the applications that have been made have not been completed by the local Conservative-run council. What will the Chancellor’s action be to ensure that Norfolk county council gets these payments into the pockets of my constituents?

[Rachel Reeves]

I am sorry to hear that the Conservative-run council in South Norfolk has not completed 60% of the applications for help with heating oil. The Government made more than £50 million available and targeted it at such places and at my hon. Friend’s constituents, who need it most. I am very happy to follow up with the council to ensure that people get the support they need.

Middle East: Economic Update

Debate between Rachel Reeves and Ben Goldsborough

Monday 9th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Rachel Reeves]

As the former Chancellor, the right hon. Member for Godalming and Ash (Sir Jeremy Hunt), said, it is too early to know the impact of this. The key is de-escalation and getting vessels flowing through the strait of Hormuz. The hon. Lady will have heard me say that heating oil is uniquely affected. People who use heating oil will get the benefits in their electricity bills, but I urge her to attend the meeting on Wednesday to put the case of her constituent to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury.

[Ben Goldsborough (South Norfolk) (Lab)]

I thank the Chancellor and Treasury officials for working closely with the Labour rural research group to discuss the heating oil troubles that we are facing right now, with prices going up by over 200% in some parts. Can she elaborate on what action will be taken with the Competition and Markets Authority to ensure that we are protecting our consumers from these price gouging effects?

[Rachel Reeves]

The point about price gouging is really important, and that is why we have today instructed the Competition and Markets Authority to ensure that heating oil and petrol retailers, for example, are not taking advantage of this situation to line their own pockets rather than thinking about the consumers they serve.